Hawkins v. Hargett

SEYMOUR, Chief Judge.

Trenton Lynn Hawkins appeals from the federal district court’s order denying his petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. The issue before us is whether the prison sentence imposed on Mr. Hawkins is unconstitutionally disproportionate in violation of the Eighth Amendment. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the judgment of the district court.

I

In the early morning hours of August 11, 1983, Trent Hawkins, then thirteen years and 11 months old, broke into his neighbor’s home through a window. The neighbor awoke to find Mr. Hawkins in…