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Re: March 23 editorial.
In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it “cruel and unusual punishment” to execute a youth for a murder committed prior to reaching age 18. In 2012, the court ruled that a judge could not constitutionally sentence a youth to life without parole without conducting a detailed sentencing hearing. The court listed factors the judges must consider. Colorado has 50 offenders serving life without parole who must now be re-sentenced. House Bill 1292 creates a responsible way to do this. Those offenders who have made significant life changes are entitled to a thoughtful sentence reconsideration. This bill creates a responsible way to decide these cases in the very courts where they were originally heard. I strongly support its passage.
Jack F. Smith,Centennial
The writer is a retired Colorado District Court judge.
This letter was published in the March 27 edition.
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