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Murder

Louisiana Attorney General Seeks to Overturn Roper v. Simmons in Death Penalty Case

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a shocking move, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has announced plans to seek the overturning of Roper v. Simmons, a landmark US Supreme Court case that prohibits the execution of individuals convicted of murder who were under the age of 18 at the time of the crime. The case involves Dale Dwayne Craig, who was convicted of murdering Kipp E. Gullett in 1992, just one week shy of his 18th birthday. Craig was sentenced to death after a trial in 1994, but the sentence was commuted due to the Roper decision. Murrill argues that the decision is "egregiously wrong" and allows individuals like Craig, who committed "heinous crimes," to escape the death penalty simply because they were underage.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Louisiana Attorney General's office has filed a motion to reinstate the death sentence for Dale Dwayne Craig, who was convicted of murdering Kipp E. Gullett in 1992 at the age of 17.
  • The case involves a challenge to the Roper v. Simmons decision, which prohibits the execution of individuals convicted of murder who were under the age of 18 at the time of the crime.
  • Attorney General Liz Murrill argues that the decision is "egregiously wrong" and allows individuals like Craig, who committed "heinous crimes," to escape the death penalty simply because they were underage.
  • Craig was sentenced to death after a trial in 1994, but the sentence was commuted due to the Roper decision.
  • The State of Louisiana has described the Roper decision as "absurd" and argues that there is no basis in law or logic for prohibiting the execution of minors who commit heinous crimes.
  • The Attorney General's motion to reinstate the death sentence has been filed based on preservation purposes only, as the US Supreme Court precedent currently requires a denial of the motion.

Statistics:

  • The crime was committed on September 14, 1992.
  • Dale Dwayne Craig was 17 years old at the time of the crime.
  • The victim, Kipp E. Gullett, was an 18-year-old freshman student at Louisiana State University.
  • Craig carjacked, kidnapped, terrorized, pistol-whipped, and shot to death Gullett.
  • Craig was sentenced to death in 1994.
  • The Roper v. Simmons decision was issued in 2005.
  • The motion to reinstate the death sentence has been filed for preservation purposes only.

Sources:

  • "Louisiana Attorney General Seeks to Overturn Roper v. Simmons in Death Penalty Case." Louisiana Office of the Attorney General.
  • Roper v. Simmons (2005) 543 U.S. 551.
  • Louisiana Department of Corrections.

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