Archive for the ‘8th amendment’ Category

Original Meaning: Cruel and Unusual Punishments

Summary: The prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments is a check against extralegal tribunals or discretionary acts of judges in imposing illegal and cruel punishments that are unknown to established law as practiced under the infamous court of Star Chamber. I thought it was about time to address the well-established ancient understanding of the Eighth […]

Death Penalty for Child Rape Unconstitutional?

Lawyers for Patrick Kennedy, a Louisiana man who received a death sentence for raping a child has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to have his case heard before the justices. Kennedy’s legal team wants the court to declare Louisiana’s law allowing the death penalty for child rape unconstitutional. The petition asks the court to consider […]