Here are the remarkable opinions: 0520supremecourt.

Possibly the most remarkable aspect of the majority opinion is the citation to numerous social science studies strongly advocating against prison time for juveniles, as well as a citation to an Amnesty International report criticizing American states for imposing such long sentences on children.

Another interesting aspect of the majority opinion is the lengthy quotations to the trial judge, speaking to the defendant:

I find it incredibly interesting and somewhat significant that not only am I being asked to impose a sentence in this matter, which is my obligation and my responsibility, but I’m being asked to release a soul. I have to comment on that because that’s an interesting clash of cultures, and it’s what we’re all about as a people. We have to deal with those cultures and those clashes as positively as we can.

And everything I know about you, Omer, and everything I’ve gleaned about you from your——from the information that’s been provided to me, you dealt with those things [o]ppositionally. You weren’t willing to let those cultures and those different ideas intermingle. It had to be your way or no way at all. That’s too bad. And it’s that attitude that you’re going to have to change. . . .

I would hope that you[] turn to spirituality. Native American spirituality gives you something to build on in that regard. It had better because I can tell you right now if your attitude and your ruthlessness and the perception that you have of your relationship to the community in which you are going to find yourself continues as it is, you’re in for a real tough ride.

If I read the opinion correctly, this lecture was given to a 16-year-old.