Teenager to be tried as adult for alleged murder of another teenager

One of the two teens suspected in the killing of Michael White, 16, of Wyoming, is being charged as an adult, authorities said.

Carlos Delgado, 15, of Kentwood, is charged with open murder and will be tried as an adult, Assistant Kent County Prosecutor Vicki Seidl confirmed Wednesday, March 23. He was arraigned that morning in Wyoming District Court, she said.

Article here (via mlive). 

Related: Michigan has more juvenile life sentences than any other state.

Michigan Supreme Court to consider resentencing juvenile "lifers"

The law is now clear that juveniles convicted of first-degree murder can no longer be automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole, without a judge first considering the circumstances of the case and potential mitigating factors.

What’s in dispute in arguments the Michigan Supreme Court will hear this morning is whether more than 350 teenagers who received mandatory life sentences under the old rules are now entitled to new sentencing hearings.

Article here. 

High School Students' Amicus Brief Accepted at Michigan Supreme Court

High school students from Father Gabriel Richard High submitted an amicus brief to the Michigan Supreme Court. The Court is about to hear oral argument in the case of juvenile lifers. 

A sample of the brief, from the outline of the brief's arguments:

II.     FAITH AND MORALITY ARE AT THE HEART OF THE 9th AMENDMENT

 A.     VENGEANCE HAS NO PLACE IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM

 B.     TO REDEEM MEANS:  "TO BUY BACK"; "TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER"; "TO REPAIR, RESTORE."- Merriam Webster

Also: "We believe all persons have the potential capacity to be sorry for their sins, work to repair their wrongs, restore their worth as a member of society, to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Fundamental to our beliefs as Christians is that all of us have a right and the promise to be redeemed.”

Article here.  (State Bar of Michigan blog). 

And here (freep).