cnn.com
Supreme Court Remands Death Row Inmate's Case
The Supreme Court remanded the case of death row inmate Joseph Smith back to a lower court for reconsideration of his intellectual disability claim, highlighting the complexities of applying the 2002 ruling prohibiting the execution of intellectually disabled individuals.
English
United States
Human Rights ViolationsUs PoliticsSupreme CourtDeath PenaltyCapital PunishmentLegal CaseIntellectual Disability
Supreme Court11Th Us Circuit Court Of Appeals
Joseph SmithDurk Van DamClarence ThomasNeil GorsuchRichard GlossipRuben Gutierrez
- What other death penalty cases are currently under review by the Supreme Court?
- The Supreme Court's decision to send Smith's case back to the lower court follows a pattern of recent Supreme Court activity involving death penalty cases, including those of Richard Glossip and Ruben Gutierrez, indicating a significant focus on death penalty jurisprudence.
- What were the circumstances of the crime that led to Joseph Smith's conviction?
- Smith confessed to murdering Durk Van Dam, but his statements about the crime were inconsistent. The state argued that Smith brutally beat Van Dam with a hammer and saw to steal a small amount of money and possessions.
- What action did the Supreme Court take regarding Joseph Smith's death penalty case?
- The Supreme Court sent the case of Joseph Smith, an Alabama death row inmate, back to a lower court for reconsideration. The justices found the lower court's reasoning unclear on whether Smith has an intellectual disability, making him ineligible for the death penalty.
- What is the legal precedent regarding the execution of intellectually disabled individuals?
- The Supreme Court's 2002 ruling declared executing intellectually disabled inmates cruel and unusual punishment. This decision ignited ongoing discussions about handling borderline cases, especially concerning the accuracy of IQ tests.
- What was the central issue in determining Joseph Smith's eligibility for the death penalty?
- Smith's IQ scores were just above the threshold for intellectual disability, leading to debate about the margin of error in such tests and the need for additional factors to be considered. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals noted the number isn't a strict cutoff, mandating further examination.