For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 21
considered. "A child's character," the Court said,
"is not as well formed as an adult's; his traits are
less fixed."30 Also, the Miller court found that
"Life without parole forswears altogether the
rehabilitative ideal [and is] at odds with a child's
capacity for change."31 When applied as a variable
to describe a specific youth, this factor suggests
the need for evidence to compare a youth to other
youths on a continuum of rehabilitation potential.
Discussing Miller, the court in Songster noted
that among the factors to consider, "the potential
for reform is most critical."32 This was emphasized
for two reasons. First, Miller emphasizes that a
LWOP sentence in cases involving homicide by a
juvenile requires a finding that the individual is
"irreparably corrupt,"33 meaning there is no reasonable likelihood the individual can be rehabilitated. Second, Songster noted that Montgomery
resentencing cases typically will involve inmates
who have undergone rehabilitation efforts since
the time of their offense. The results of rehabilitation efforts are likely to play a role in resentencing.
Pennsylvania now faces the task of
addressing requests for resentencing
from nearly five hundred JLWOP
inmates. Currently, Pennsylvania
law is unclear about the reach of
Montgomery, especially regarding
second-degree murder cases and
concerning applicable maximum and
minimum alternative sentences.21
"The rehabilitation factor," Songster explained,
"tells us how he has acted more recently and helps
predict how he will act in the future. It addresses
the question of whether the defendant is beyond
reform and is incorrigible."34
The court in Songster 2016 noted the retrospective nature of the inquiry would be difficult in
Vol. 2, Issue 2 | For The Defense
21
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 1
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 2
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 3
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 4
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 5
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 6
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 7
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 8
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 9
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 10
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 11
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 12
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 13
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 14
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 15
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 16
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 17
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 18
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 19
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 20
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 21
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 22
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 23
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 24
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 25
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 26
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 27
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 28
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 29
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 30
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 31
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 32
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 33
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 34
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 35
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 36
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 37
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 38
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 39
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 40
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 41
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 42
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 43
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 44
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 45
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 46
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 47
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 48
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 49
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 50
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 51
For the Defense - Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2017 - 52
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