Man Gets Life in Prison Again in Juvenile Resentencing Hearing

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles were unconstitutional

An inmate in Cook County, who was sentenced to life in prison at the age of 14 for his role in a double murder in Chicago, will remain in prison following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that sentencing a juvenile to life is a violation of their constitutional rights.

Adolfo Davis hung his head and cried as a judge ruled Monday that his life sentence would not be reversed, citing several citations in prison, including repeated attacks and threats, along with his role in the initial crime.

Judge Angela Petrone said Davis showed callous disregard for life as a teen and noted that the threats he made towards guards and other prison officials while incarcerated dispute witness claims that he has been rehabilitated.

Davis was given a mandatory life sentence as a juvenile 24 years ago for his role in a 1990 robbery that left two people dead.

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles were unconstitutional.

Davis was the first of dozens of cases to be considered in Cook County.

An attorney for Davis said last year that the judge would be presented information about Davis' troubled childhood and what he has done since his conviction — receiving his GED diploma, participating in a mentoring program and writing a book of poetry.

"Young people are young people and no matter their worst acts they have the capacity for change and that can never be omitted from any criminal proceedings, including at sentencing when they're facing a punishment that means they will die in prison," attorney Patricia Soung said.

Soung and Davis' family members said they disagree with the judge's sentence.

"Her sentence equates him to being an incorrigible person who can't change," Soung said. 

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