Roper v. Simmons was used as a counter argument for abolishing juveniles life without parole. In 2005, Roper v. Simmons established that children …show more content…
He was charged as an adult. At the trial stage, Simmons confession and videotaped reenactment of the crime was displayed. He was convicted of murder and in the penalty stage he was sentenced to the death penalty. He tried to appeal and petition the sentence but kept getting rejected until the Atkins v. Virginia. Atkins v. Virginia established that the 8th amendment is applicable to states through the 14th amendment prohibited the execution of a mentally retarded person. Therefore, Simmons petitioned that Atkins v. Virginia established that the constitution prohibited the execution of juveniles who committed a crime under the age of