State of Missouri v. David M. Barnett

Summary

The Missouri Supreme Court held that section 565.020, which mandates life imprisonment without parole for first‑degree murder, is constitutional as applied to a 19‑year‑old offender. The court affirmed the circuit court’s sentencing of David M. Barnett to two consecutive life terms without parole. It reasoned that U.S. Supreme Court precedent limits juvenile protections to offenders under 18, and therefore the statute’s age cutoff is permissible. The decision underscores that any policy changes should come from the legislature.