Whether the sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for a childhood offense is grossly disproportionate, in violation of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment

QUESTION PRESENTED Petitioner Gregory Wynn was convicted in 1999 for a murder that occurred when he was 17 years old. Condemned to spend the rest of his life in a maximumsecurity prison, Wynn nonetheless made efforts over the course of more than 20 years to improve himself and help others. He obtained his GED. He engaged in numerous self-improvement programs. He organized positive activities for incarcerated people, including a book reading attended by an award-winning author. He developed as an artist and participated in a program that resulted in one of his paintings being displayed at a college art exhibition. He attended lectures by volunteer professors from a local university, who characterized him as an incredible student. Official prison records show that he risked his own safety to come to the aid of a correctional officer, that he displayed a strong work ethic on prison details, and that he was selected for a special prison community designed for people who “have made a sincere commitment in their hearts that they want to change.” (R.C. 1563.) This case presents the following question: Whether, in light of the uncontroverted evidence of Gregory Wynn’s potential for maturity and positive change as an adult, his sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for a childhood offense is grossly disproportionate, in violation of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. i