Oregon Department of Justice Takes Case to U.S. Supreme Court

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Department of Justice is taking the Salem case of twin brothers sentenced as teenagers to almost 67 years in prison to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Statesman Journal reports that Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is asking the highest court to review and place a hold on the recent Oregon Supreme Court opinion reversing the “life” sentences of Lydell and Laycelle White.

The brothers were 15 in 1993 when they broke into the northeast Salem home of Richard, 82, and Grace Remy, 80.

The Whites beat and strangled the couple then stole Grace’s wedding ring, $23 in cash and the couple’s car. They were convicted of the murders and each sentenced to almost 67 years in prison.

But in May, the Oregon Supreme Court overturned the Whites’ sentences, saying they amounted to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment under a 2012 landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling.