Michael E. HARRIS, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Robert WRIGHT, Superintendent, Clallam Bay Correction Center, Respondent-Appellee

KOZINSKI, Circuit Judge.

The principal question presented is whether a fifteen-year-old murderer may be sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

I

One afternoon in 1987, Michael Harris, age 15, and Barry Massey, age 13, went to Paul Wang’s store to rob it. ER at 8, 10, 13 (Washington Superior Court Memorandum Decision). Along the way, the two discussed how to use the pistol Harris had brought along. Massey proposed that Harris simply walk in and shoot Wang; instead, Harris gave Massey the gun. Id. at 14. Shortly thereafter, Massey and Harris entered the store and…