Citations
- 345 F. Supp. 2d 1227
Full opinion text
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER IMPOSING DENYING MOTION TO FIND 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) UNCONSTITUTIONAL, IMPOSING SENTENCE, AND RECOMMENDING EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY
CASSELL, District Judge.
Table of Contents
Introduction.1230
I. Factual Background.1231
II. Legislative History and Judicial Interpretation of § 924(c) .1233
1235 III.Mr. Angelos’ Equal Protection Challenge to the Statute.
1235 A. Equal Protection Review of Criminal Statutes.
1235 1. General Equal Protection Principles.
1237 2. The Court’s Obligation to Search for a Rational Basis.
1239 B. The Irrationality of § 924(c) .
1239 1. Mr. Angelos Effectively Receives a Life Sentence Under § 924(c)
1239 2. Unjust Punishment from § 924(c).
1243 3. Irrational Classifications.
1243 a. Classifications Between Offenses.
1248 b. Irrational Classifications Between Offenders.
4. Demeaning Victims of Actual Violence and Creating the Risk of Backlash. tH LO oa
C. Justifications for § 924(c). OQ US