Cl, When this case was brought to the Supreme Court, nineteen states had in place laws that allowed the death penalty for individuals under the age of 18. Four other states abolished their laws permitting the dp under 18 which added to the states that do not permit the death penalty at all (which has no bearing on this case) and you have your so called "consensus". What bull. The only consensus permitting change to the Constitution is 2/3's of both houses of congress and 3/4 of state legislatures ( I believe) through an amendment.