The Eight Amendment states, no person should receive cruel or unusual punishment when sentencing. The fourteenth Amendment states, all citizens are required equal protection of laws. Miller argues, these amendments have been violated because of his age, while the state argues, the crime was determined aggravated murder, so sentencing is justifiable and appropriate.
On July 15th, 2003, fourteen year old Evan Miller and Colby Smith, his co-defendant, went to his neighbor’s house in search of drugs, while Colby came over for food. When they didn’t find any drugs, they then stole Cannon’s baseball cards and went home.
Later that night both boys go back to Cannon’s trailer. Due to Cannon’s excessive amount of drinking and smoking, he fell and was unconscious. Miller than took $300 from Cannon’s wallet, along with his driver’s license. Once Cannon regained conscious and attacked Miller, and co-defendant Smith then hit Cannon with a bat and his hands, then miller contentiously hit Cannon with the bat and his hands. Smith covered up the mess in a sheet, and both boys left the trailer. After a few hours …show more content…
Sandlin began to read his Miranda rights and Miller denied all wrongdoings but the signed a statement stating, he has stolen Cannon’s money and driver’s license but was not responsible for the fire. An additional investigation was then made to the crime scene and a full autopsy of Cannon. The autopsy results stated the death of Cannon was due to smoke inhalation, multiple harsh injuries and Alcohol