“I think the defense still has to be mindful of the possibility of a life sentence in this case. Although, I think that they’re intending to present a not guilty by reason of insanity defense.”

J. Dean Carro (CARE-oh) is a law professor at the University of Akron. He says the Supreme Court decision reflects the understanding that juveniles are different than adults.

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“The juvenile mind does not truly begin to mature until some point after 18 years of age. So to impose a very harsh sentence on a person whose understanding and level of culpability may be less than an adult violates the eighth amendment.”

The Supreme Court also has banned the death penalty for juveniles.