Sentencing juvenile criminals to life

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Supreme Court's considering whether sentencing a juvenile to life in prison with no parole is cruel and unusual punishment, in cases where the crime is not murder.

The cases involve two Florida teens serving life, one for raping an elderly woman, and one for armed robbery.

It's an emotional issue.

Marvin Minkler from Vermont says, “Yes, I think it's harsh and unusual I think there are extenuating circumstances that have to be looked at the prisons are loaded now.”

The Supreme Court justices heard several hours of arguments Monday in the cases of those Florida teenagers serving life prison terms.