Michigan Supreme Court to Decide Whether 50-Year Sentence for Juvenile Murder Constitutes Life in Prison

Supreme Court Weighs Limits of Sentencing for Crimes Committed as Children

The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday considered two cases that could redefine what constitutes an acceptable prison term for people who committed crimes as minors.

One case, People of MI v. James Gregory Eads, involves a man serving 50 to 75 years for a 1992 second degree murder he committed when he was 16 years old. The U.S. Supreme Court declared giving minors mandatory life without parole sentences unconstitutional in 2012. Michigan courts have been expanding on that ruling ever since, finding that young people's brains are not fully developed and deserve a second chance in society.

In 2022, the Michigan Supreme Court found that handing minors a life sentence, even with the possibility of parole, for second degree murder was still cruel or unusual punishment that violated the state constitution. On Wednesday, Eads' attorney argued that same principle should apply to lengthy terms that could effectively mean life in prison as well.

During the hearing, justices seemed to agree, at times pointing out the difficulty anyone has at earning parole their first time eligible. Defense attorney Phillip Comorski told reporters after the hearing that he believes the judges were curious where the limit for an acceptable sentence lies.

Should it be a term that they abide by like a sentencing guideline or should it be a particular number that, if you exceed it, its presumptively disproportionate? Comorski asked.

He suggested whatever the court decides could have consequences beyond this single case. Another big question could be how far a possible win for his client should reach.

Does this apply to all capital cases? Does this apply to violent cases only or does it apply to situations where no violence was used but its a life sentence anyway? Comorski asked.

Meanwhile, the prosecution said it hopes the court starts limiting how often it orders new sentences for people convicted of crimes they committed while young. Jon Wojtala, appellate chief with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, said every time the courts declare years-old punishments unconstitutional, victims, their families, and others impacted must relive their past pain.

The appellate court ruled in favor of the defense.

Second Case Raises Fifth Amendment Questions

The second case the Michigan Supreme Court took up Wednesday, People of MI v. Donyelle Michael Black, involves a resentencing hearing for one of Michigan's remaining juvenile lifers.

Black's lawyers would like to use expert testimony from a psychiatric exam he underwent to show his growth as a person since his conviction for a 1987 rape and murder he committed while 15. Black's legal team argues he has since finished his GED, earned a college degree, and participated in other prison programming despite being sentenced to life without parole.

But the prosecution argues that for Black to use his own evidence, he must undergo an evaluation with its expert too. Prosecutors said having both sides would give the court a fuller picture for re-sentencing.

Defense attorney Charity Lee argued that forcing that evaluation would violate her client's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. She told the court there are many ways to seek truth while also protecting her client's constitutional rights.

There are many ways to seek truth. And there are many ways to seek truth and protect the accuracy of information while also protecting our client's constitutional rights, Lee said.

Lower courts ruled against the defense on this issue.

What Is at Stake

Both cases deal with resentencing people serving long prison terms for crimes they committed as children. Michigan is among the states that has seen a significant number of resentencing petitions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles in 2012.

Oakland County is asking judges to resentence 16 people to life without parole. Kent County is asking for 15 renewed life sentences. County prosecutors are running out of time to make key decisions.

The Michigan Supreme Court's decisions in these cases could set important precedents for how long sentences for juvenile offenders can be before they become de facto life sentences.