Executing the Mentally Retarded
20 states now have laws permitting execution of the mentally retarded while 18 states outlaw it. Better yet, 12 states don't have the death penalty at all. Death Penalty Statistics in U.S.
Yesterday's Supreme Court decision in Atkins is a major plus, but there is still a long way to go. Watch out for op-ed pieces today claiming that that the Supreme Court abolished executing juveniles....the Court abolished executing anyone while they are still a juvenile, but it has not abolished executing adults who were juveniles at the time of their crime. Important distinction. Here are the statistics on state allowing execution of juvenile offenders.
Prosecutors are already worried about a flood of appeals. They should be!
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