Indeed, the law applicable at the time required that she be tried as a juvenile. Op., Thomas v. Netherland , No. Moreover, the psychologists chosen by the trial court and by the Commonwealth to examine Chris Thomas both found that this young man's intellectual deficits and emotional disturbance mitigated the gravity of his conduct. In fact, the Commonwealth's psychologist has taken the unprecedented position of opposing Chris Thomas' execution. However, the purposes ostensibly served by capital punishment of adults are not served by the execution of juveniles.
Retribution is also an unsatisfactory justification for the juvenile death penalty.
Executing this young man, and others who are on death row for their crimes committed as children, serves no principled purpose and only demeans our system of justice. We urge you to use your power and influence to end the practice of imposing the death penalty on persons who have committed crimes while under the age of 18, starting with Douglas Christopher Thomas.