Document: Cite as: 554 U. S. ____ (2008) 1 Statement of SCALIA, J. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES _________________ No. 07–343 PATRICK KENNEDY, PETITIONER v. LOUISIANA ON PETITION FOR REHEARING [October 1, 2008] JUSTICE with whom CHIEF joins, respecting the denial rehearing. Respondent has moved for rehearing this case be- cause there come to light a federal statute enacted in 2006 permitting death sentence under Uniform Code Military Justice rape minor. See Pub L. 109–163, §552(b)(1), 119 Stat. 3263. This provision was not cited by either party, nor any numerous amici case; it first brought Court’s atten- tion after opinion had issued, letter signed 85 Members Congress. asserts that is justified because calls into question majority opinion’s conclusion national consensus against capital punishment child. I am voting petition views American people on penalty child were, tell truth, irrelevant major- ity’s decision case. The opinion, an unpersuasive attempt show existed, end came down this: “[T]he Constitution contemplates our own judg- ment will be bear accept- ability Eighth Amend- ment.” Ante, at ___ (slip op., 24). Of course no such thing; proposed 2 KENNEDY Amendment would have been laughed scorn if read “no criminal shall imposed which Supreme Court deems unacceptable.” But what said, and reason believe absence provoke second thoughts. While new evidence ulti- mately majority’s decision, let doubt utterly destroys claim discerning just giving effect preference. As noted from Congress, bill providing passed Senate 95–0; House 374–41, votes each State’s delegation; President. KENNEDY’s statement posits two reasons why act Congress proves nothing about consen- sus regarding permissible penalties rape. First, claims merely “reclassif[ied]” offense 2. law did more than that; specifically established (as do) rape—and death: “For subsection (a) (rape) or sub- section (b) (rape child), other punish- as court-martial may direct.” 3263 (emphasis added). By separate executive order, President later expressly reauthorized Exec. Order 13447, 72 Fed. Reg. 56214 (2007). Based these acts, infinitely think made judgment appropriateness many non-enacting state legislatures upon relies so—especially since widely believed Coker took capital-punishment option off table. Georgia, 433 U.S. 584 (1977). 3 Second, speculates permit subjecting member mili- tary means cruel unusual inflicted civilian same crime. That perhaps so where fact malefactor’s membership Armed Forces makes grievous. One can imagine, example, social treason military officer who sworn defend his country deserves even though trea- son does not. (That society made, see 18 C. §2381, but one imagine it.) It difficult however, how could sometimes deserving soldier never civilian.

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