The US could soon make it easier to execute people with intellectual disabilities
A supreme court decision will determine whether the cruel, unconstitutional execution of people with intellectual disability becomes even more prevalent
TL;DR
- The Supreme Court case Hamm v. Smith could significantly increase the number of people with intellectual disabilities executed.
- Joseph Smith, the defendant in the case, has multiple IQ scores around the bottom fifth percentile, and a federal court found him intellectually disabled.
- Alabama's argument that any IQ score above 70 could invalidate an intellectual disability claim contradicts clinical consensus.
- Past Supreme Court rulings have protected individuals with intellectual disabilities from execution and required states to use clinical standards.
- The case of Edward Busby Jr. in Texas illustrates the ongoing misunderstanding and inconsistent application of intellectual disability standards in the justice system.
- Factors like race and access to resources significantly impact who receives supportive interventions.
- The article argues that Hamm v. Smith is driven by a punitive urge to impose the harshest retribution without considering individual culpability and humanity.