By Emily Enfinger | The Associated Press

The U.S. Supreme ruled last week that juveniles could not be automatically sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, meaning some inmates could be resentenced or possibly eligible for parole.

“Here in Dallas County most of the violent crimes are committed by young adults,” said Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson. “So this is the kind of change that could affect a lot of things.”

He said a few cases in Dallas County will be affected by the ruling, including the Julius Reeves case.

In November 1996, Matthew Reeves, 18 at the time; his younger brother Julius, 16; and Brenda Suttles, 19, were involved with the murder and robbery of 38-year-old Willie Johnson.

Matthew was arrested several hours after the crime and was later convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. He is currently on Alabama’s Death Row.

Julius and Suttles were arrested several days later after being spotted at a Montgomery bus station. Julius was sentenced life imprisonment without parole and Suttles was sentenced life.

It’s not clear if Julius’ sentence will be reviewed or not.

Four years ago in Miller v. Alabama, the Court ruled that juvenile defendants could not be sentenced to die in prison without considering several factors such as maturity, potential to offend, upbringing and more or be in violation of the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

In light of the Miller v. Alabama ruling, Henry Montgomery argued that he should be considered under this ruling because he was 17 when he shot and killed a man.

After serving nearly 50 years in prison, he claimed the rehabilitation in prison should make him eligible for parole, but the Louisiana Supreme Court rejected his plea because Miller v. Alabama was not retroactive.

After review of the U.S. Supreme Court, it was decided that Miller v. Alabama announced a substantive change in the law and therefore must be applied to earlier cases.

Now, 20 years later, Julius will be eligible for resentencing or possible parole.

“We have to follow the Supreme Court on what the law is now,” Jackson said.