The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday said it would consider whether execution of juvenile offenders ages 16 or 17 violates the U.S. Constitution.

The court accepted a case from the Missouri Supreme Court, which barred the execution of a convicted murderer who was 17 at the time of his crime. The decision was 4-3.

The high court has already banned execution for offenders younger than 16. Four justices have said capital punishment of those aged 16 or 17 is unconstitutional while three others have said it is not. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is considered a swing vote.

Get the Story:
A Death Penalty Revisited (The Washington Post 1/27)
Supreme Court to Review Using Execution in Juvenile Cases (The New York Times 1/27)
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