Supreme Court Expands 'Crime of Violence' Definition

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling affirming that attempted murder-for-hire qualifies as a 'crime of violence,' thus allowing for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. In a decisive 7-2 vote authored by Justice Clarence Thomas, the Court rejected defendant Salvatore Delligatti's argument that not all attempted murders should be classified as violent crimes. Justice Elena Kagan called Delligatti's reasoning 'absurd,' emphasizing a broader interpretation of what constitutes violent crime. This decision marks a significant shift in legal standards, potentially impacting future cases involving violence and sentencing. The ruling underscores the Court's stance against narrow interpretations that limit the definition of violent crimes. Delligatti, a former mob associate, was convicted for his role in a contract killing and sentenced to 300 months in prison after a jury found him guilty of all charges.