Questions Presented: (1) Is a sentence of 30 years without possibility of parole constitutionally disproportionate as applied to a 12-year-old child? (2) Are the mitigating qualities of youth relevant to whether a 12-year-old’s non-capital sentence is constitutionally disproportionate? (3) Does the Eighth Amendment prohibit the imposition of a sentence of 30 years without possibility of parole on a 12-year-old child where the sentencer was absolutely precluded from considering youth as a mitigating factor justifying lesser punishment?
