The Virginia trial court's ruling denying Dennis LeBlanc's motion to vacate his sentence in light of the Supreme Court's requirement in Graham v. Florida that a state give juvenile offenders convicted of a nonhomicide crime "some meaningful opportunity to obtain release based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation" -- a ruling which rested on the Virginia Supreme Court's earlier ruling in Angel v. Commonwealth that the state's geriatric release program satisfies this requirement -- was not objectively unreasonable in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's current case law.
Judgment
Reversed, n/a on Jun 12, 2017. Justice Ginsburg filed a concurring opinion.
May 1, 2017Brief of respondent Dennis LeBlanc in opposition filed.
May 1, 2017Motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed by respondent Dennis LeBlanc.
May 5, 2017Reply of petitioners Virginia, et al. filed.
May 8, 2017Letter of May 4, 2017, from counsel for petitioners waiving the 14-day waiting period for the distribution of the petition pursuant to Rule 15.5 received.
May 9, 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of May 25, 2017.
May 30, 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 1, 2017.
Jun 5, 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 8, 2017.
Jun 12, 2017Motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed by respondent GRANTED.
Jun 12, 2017Petition GRANTED. Judgment REVERSED. Opinion per curiam. (Detached Opinion). Justice Ginsburg, concurring in the judgment. (Detached Opinion).
Jul 5, 2017Petition for Rehearing filed.
Jul 13, 2017DISTRIBUTED.
Aug 7, 2017Rehearing DENIED.
Aug 7, 2017JUDGMENT ISSUED.
Recommended Citation: Virginia v. LeBlanc, SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/virginia-v-leblanc/