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Wayne Thompson v. State of Oklahoma
Date: 12-31-1988
Case Number: 487US815
Judge: Rhnquist, et al.
Court: Supreme Court of the United States on cert from the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals
Plaintiff's Attorney:
Defendant's Attorney: Oklahoma Attorney's General's Office
Description:
Would the execution of a 15 year old violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishments"?
At the age of 15 years Thompson was tried as an adult, convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to death. On appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma affirmed. The Supreme Court granted Thompson certiorari.
Yes. After noting that the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishments" applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, the Court held that the execution of a person under the age of 16 was unconstitutional. In noting the uniform ban among all relevant state statutes against the execution of one under the age of 16, the Court explained that such an act would violate the "evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society."
At the age of 15 years Thompson was tried as an adult, convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to death. On appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma affirmed. The Supreme Court granted Thompson certiorari.
Yes. After noting that the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishments" applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, the Court held that the execution of a person under the age of 16 was unconstitutional. In noting the uniform ban among all relevant state statutes against the execution of one under the age of 16, the Court explained that such an act would violate the "evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society."
Outcome:
Reversed and remanded.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
Editor's Note: Wayne Thompson, convicted of first-degree murder, has been granted parole after more than four decades in prison. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed and finalized the parole certificate, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn national attention since 1983.
About This Case
What was the outcome of Wayne Thompson v. State of Oklahoma?
The outcome was: Reversed and remanded.
Which court heard Wayne Thompson v. State of Oklahoma?
This case was heard in Supreme Court of the United States on cert from the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, DC. The presiding judge was Rhnquist, et al..
Who were the attorneys in Wayne Thompson v. State of Oklahoma?
Defendant's attorney: Oklahoma Attorney's General's Office.
When was Wayne Thompson v. State of Oklahoma decided?
This case was decided on December 31, 1988.