People v. Davis

Defendant was arrested at age 14 for his role in fatal shootings of two people, and was convicted of both murders. Defendant was sentenced to natural life imprisonment, for which parole is not available, required under Section 5-8-1(a)(1)(c) of Unified Code of Corrections because of convictions of murdering more than one person. This sentence can be validly applied to adults, and is thus not facially unconstitutional. Because, under Miller, a mandatory life sentence for a juvenile violates the eighth amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, Defendant’s sentence is invalid. Miller invalidates the mandatory imposition on juveniles of the penalty of natural life without parole, though it can still be imposed at court’s discretion. (GARMAN, THOMAS, KILBRIDE, KARMEIER, BURKE, and THEIS, concurring.)