HIST 3850 : muder and other crimes readings.docx
Document Summary
Tison court applied the proportionality principle to conclude the death penalty was an appropriate punishment for a felony murderer who was a major participant in the underlying felony an exhibited reckless indifference to human life. The case stems from a prison break during the summer 1978. Gary tison was serving a life sentence at the arizona state prison in. Three sons plotted to break him and his cellmate randy out of prison. One of the aimed the shot gun at the lobby guard, and randy helped by cutting off telephones and alarm systems. All escaped in donald s car but one of the tires blew. John lyons, his wife son and niece stopped to help. 5 days later his body was found along with those of his wife, son and niece. Gary and the others stole stuff from the car and mentioned that he was thinking og killing the lyons es.
