'Ban On Parole' Lawsuit For Younger Convicted Killers Can Proceed

DETROIT (WWJ) - A federal judge refuses to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Michigan's ban on parole for youthful convicted killers.  As WWJ Newsradio 950's Paul Snider reports, only one of the nine plaintiffs will be allowed to press his case.

That's because Judge John Corbett O'Meara ruled that the other eight waited too long to go to court. The lone exception is Keith Maxey of Wayne County, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2008. He is now 20.

The state's parole board is prohibited from considering anyone for parole if they've been convicted of first-degree murder. The American Civil Liberties Union, which sued, calls that cruel and unusual punishment.

Judge O'Meara ruled that Maxey can try to show that his civil rights were violated by his conviction.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.