In People of the State of Illinois v. Ashanti Lusby, the Illinois Supreme Court extended the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment to juveniles retroactively. Lusby, convicted of murder and assault at age 16, had received a 130-year sentence. He appealed, arguing that the sentence contravened the Eighth Amendment, as interpreted in recent Supreme Court jurisprudence.

The court agreed, relying on Miller v. Alabama, which held that mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles violated the Eighth Amendment. The court ruled that Miller applied retroactively to Lusby's case, despite the state's arguments to the contrary. This decision recognized the principle that evolving societal standards of decency may render a previously constitutional sentence cruel and unusual.

Accordingly, the court remanded the case for a resentencing hearing. The new hearing was required to consider Lusby's youth at the time of the offenses. This consideration stemmed from the recognition that juveniles possess diminished culpability and a greater capacity for rehabilitation, factors that must be weighed in sentencing decisions. The court's ruling marked a significant step in ensuring that juvenile offenders receive sentences that account for their unique circumstances and potential for growth.

Ashanti Lusby, convicted of murder and assault at the age of 16, received a sentence of 130 years. He appealed this sentence, arguing that it violated the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishments. Lusby's argument was supported by recent Supreme Court decisions restricting life sentences for juvenile offenders.

In 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in Lusby's favor. They agreed that the Supreme Court's decision in Miller v. Alabama, which limited life sentences for juveniles, should be applied retroactively to Lusby's case. This meant that his sentence could be reconsidered in light of his youth at the time of the crimes.

The court ordered a new sentencing hearing for Lusby. The judge presiding over this hearing was required to take into account Lusby's age at the time of the offenses. This would allow for a more individualized and appropriate sentence that reflected the evolving understanding of the diminished culpability of juvenile offenders.

Ashanti Lusby was sentenced to a long time in prison for murder and assault when he was just 16 years old. He thought this was too harsh, especially since the Supreme Court had said that minors shouldn't get automatic life sentences.

The Supreme Court of Illinois agreed with Lusby. They said that the Supreme Court's rule about life sentences for kids should apply to Lusby's case too, even though he was sentenced before that rule was made.

So, the court sent Lusby's case back to the trial court for a new sentencing hearing. This time, the court has to think about how young Lusby was when he committed the crimes. He might get a shorter sentence because of this.

Ashanti Lusby was 16 years old when he hurt and killed people. He got a very long punishment of 130 years in jail.

Later, he said that his punishment was too harsh because he was so young when he did the bad things. He said that the rules say young people shouldn't get such long punishments.

The highest court in Illinois agreed with Lusby. They said that a rule that protects young people from long punishments should also help Lusby, even though he was sentenced before the rule was made.

So, Lusby will get a new punishment. The judge will think about how young he was when he did the bad things and give him a punishment that is more fair for a young person.