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Supreme Court Raises Eligible Age for Death Penalty

The Supreme Court abolishes executions for homicides committed when the perpetrator was a juvenile. The 5-4 ruling throws out laws in 20 states, and death sentences against dozens of murderers who were under 18 when they committed their crimes.

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Nina Totenberg is NPR's award-winning legal affairs correspondent. Her reports air regularly on NPR's critically acclaimed newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition.