Roper V. Simmons

Roper V. Simmons

State of Missouri v. Christopher Simmons
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Roper v. Simmons

Christopher Simmons was a disturbed and abused child who committed an awful crime at the age of seventeen. He murdered a woman. His case has major significance to the juvenile justice system. He eliminated the possibility of a juvenile to be sentenced to death. He was sentenced to death row and after multiple appeals and a writ of habeas corpus, his charge was reduced to life in prison without possibility of parole. However, based on the mitigating circumstances of his prior history, the violation of his rights and the ineffective assistance of council, his sentence of life in prison does not seem justifiable.
Christopher Simmons had a plan. His plan was to commit a burglary, primarily. After he and his friends committed the burglary, he would tie the person up and throw them off a bridge. He was sure he would not get caught due to his age; however things did not turn out as planned. Chris intended on burglarizing a “voo-doo man” because he was thought to have a lot of money. However their victim turned out to be Shirley Crook.
It was September 8, 1993 at two in the morning. Chris Simmons, Brian Moomey, and his friend Benjamin went to Shirley’s house. They entered through the back door which was easily opened due to a window being open. As Christopher went throughout the house he went to the bedroom of Shirley Crook. She awoke from bed and Chris recognized her quickly on the account that had gotten into a car accident with prior. Next, Chris went to get duct tape while Benjamin watched over her. Chris then taped Crook’s eyes and mouth (Capital Punishment in Missouri). She had also been tied with electric cable, leather straps and duct tape (American Bar Association). The boys placed her into a mini-van and drive her to a railroad trestle in Castlewood Park located in St. Louis County. “There, Simmons bound her hands and feet together, hog-tie fashion, with the electrical cable and covered...

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