`` When considered in the context of the offender 's age and the wholesale forfeiture of all liberties , the imposition of a sentence of life without parole on a juvenile homicide offender is strikingly similar , in many respects , to the death penalty , which this court has determined is unconstitutional , '' the Massachusetts court wrote . Massachusetts court equates life terms for minors , `` in many respects , '' to the death penalty . Court reasons that judges ca n't determine whether a juvenile is `` irretrievably depraved '' meaning he has no capacity or desire to change his behavior and thus can not be rehabilitated by rehabilitation programs ; or if he's merely mentally retarded ( which would mean he could never become an adult ), Imposing such sentences violates Eighth Amendment protections .
Massachusetts court equates life terms for minors , `` in many respects , '' to the death penalty . Court reasons that judges ca n't determine whether a juvenile is `` irretrievably depraved '' meaning he has no capacity or desire to change his behavior and thus can not be rehabilitated by rehabilitation programs ; or if he's merely mentally retarded ( which would mean he could never become an adult ), Imposing such sentences violates Eighth Amendment protections .