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Christopher Simmons in born in Missouri
Simmons grows up in an abusive environment. His father reportedly beats him frequently and he is introduced to alcohol and drugs early in his life. Additionally, his family is known to have a predisposition for susbtance abuse and psychiatric illness. Retrieved on September 5, 2012 from http://www.internationaljusticeproject.org/juvCSimmons.cfm -
Stanford v. Kentucky
Case name: Stanford v. Kentucky
Type of court: US Supreme Court
Case verdict: Held
Court jurisdiction: Appellate
In the certiorari to the Kentucky Supreme Court, the US Supreme Court upheld the idea that the death sentence, even when applied to juveniles, did not violate the Eight Amendment as a "cruel or unusual" punishment. When Simmons was first tried, this standard was applied to his case. Retrieved on September 7, 2012 from http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0492_0361_Z -
Christopher Simmons murders Shirley Crook
Simmons was known to have conspired with 2 accomplices to commit burglarly and murder. Following the failed robery of Ms. Crook, he binds and gags her and throws her off a bridge into a river. He is later reported to have bragged about the event., claiming that "they could commit a robbery and murder and get away with it because they were juveniles." Retrieved on September 5, 2012 from http://caselaw.findlaw.com/mo-supreme-court/1273234.html -
Simmons is arrested for the murder of Crook
Upon arrest, Simmons waives his Miranda rights. He is harshly interrogated by the police, and is falsely told that his accomplice has fully confessed. He is pressured into also confessing and agreeing to re-enact the crime on video. He is slated to be tried as an adult. Retrieved on September 5, 2012 from http://www.internationaljusticeproject.org/juvCSimmons.cfm -
Simmons is brought to trial
Case name: Simmons v. Missouri
Type of court: State Trial Court
Case verdict: Guilty
Court jurisdiction: Limited
Simmons' case is extremely weak at trial; the defense presents no witnesses and his troubled past is not mentioned. Retrieved on September 6, 2012 from http://chinesejil.oxfordjournals.org/content/4/2/565.full#sec-4 -
Simmons is convicted of murder and sentenced to death
After he is found guilty, and the State of Missouri asks for the death penalty as punishment. A psychologist finds him to be mentally incapable of appreciating his actions or their consequences, or of defending himself. Retrieved on September 5, 2012 from http://chinesejil.oxfordjournals.org/content/4/2/565.full#sec-4 -
Outside groups petition the Missouri Supreme Court to grant Simmons clemency
Several groups such as the ACLU and Nobel Peace Prize Laureates petition for a reduction in Simmons' sentence to life in prison. These petitions would help shift the stance of the Misouri Supreme Court. Retrieved on September 6, 2012 from http://www.internationaljusticeproject.org/juvCSimmons.cfm -
Simmons petions for clemency
Simmons hires a new legal team to better represent himself. Over the period of 1993 to 2002, Simmons appeals his case several times. His first appeal, to the Missouri Supreme Court, is denied. Further appeals for a writ of habeas corpus to federal district and circuit courts are also denied. Retrieved on September 6, 2012 from http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-8452.ZS.html -
The Missouri Supreme Court stays Simmons' execution
In anticipation of the ruling of Atkins v. Virgina, another case about juvenile execution being heard by the US Supreme Court, Simmons' execution is stayed. Retrieved on Septemeber 6, 2012 from http://www.internationaljusticeproject.org/juvCSimmons.cfm -
Atkins v. Virgina Ruling
Case name: Atkins v. Virgina
Type of court: Supreme Court
Case verdict: Held, the "Executions of mentally retarded criminals are 'cruel and unusual punishments' prohibited by the Eighth Amendment".
Court jurisdiction: Appellate
In Atkins v. Viriginia, the US Supreme Court determined that executing certain groups was not just. This ruling would be used by Simmons to attempt to overturn his death sentence.
Retrieved on September 6, 2012 from http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-8452.ZS.html -
Simmons' case begins the appeals process
The Missouri Supreme Court issued an order granting a writ of habeas corpus in Simmons' case. Missouri must respond to the writ in 15 days. Simmons will then have 30 days to file a brief. Missouri will then have 20 days to respond and Simmons will have 10 days to reply. The court will then schedule oral argument. Retrieved on Septemeber 6, 2012 from http://www.internationaljusticeproject.org/juvCSimmons.cfm -
Simmons' sentence is reduced
Case name: Roper v. Simmons
Type of court: US Supreme Court
Case verdict: Appeal granted
Court jurisdiction: Appellate
The Missouri Supreme Court reduces Simmons' sentence to life in prison, holding that “a national consensus has developed against the execution of juvenile offenders … and that the imposition of the juvenile death penalty has become truly unusual over the last decade”. Retrieved on September 6, 2012 from http://chinesejil.oxfordjournals.org/content/4/2/565.full#sec-4 -
The Missouri Supreme Court petitions the US Sepreme Court to issue a writ of certiarori
The ruling of the Missouri Supreme Court is considered by some to be an overextension of the powers of the State Judiciary. In order to bring further validity to the ruling, the petition the US Supreme Court to review the case and rule on it. Retrieved on September 6, 2012 from http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/03-633.ZS.html -
US Supreme Court grants certiorari in the Simmons case
The Supreme Court agrees to hear oral arguments for whether or not Simmons should receive the death penalty and grants the state of Missouri until April 21 to reply. Simmons' brief will be due 35 days after the state's brief is submitted. Retrieved on September 7, 2012 from http://www.internationaljusticeproject.org/juvCSimmons.cfm. -
US Supreme Court upholds the decision of the Missouri Supreme Court
Case name: Roper v. Simmons
Type of court: US Supreme Court
Case verdict: Held, "The Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid imposition of the death penalty on offenders who were under the age of 18 when their crimes were committed."
Court jurisdiction: Appellate
The US Supreme Court, citing "evloving standards of decency" upheld the decision, overruling precedent from earlier cases that kept the death penalty legal for minors. Retrieved on September 7, 2012 from http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct
