Why are individuals with intellectual disabilities not allowed to be sentenced to death? (1 point)
Roper v. Simmons found this sentencing to be unconstitutional.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are only allowed to be sentenced to death for homicide.
They are not over the age of 18, so they cannot understand the severity of their crimes.
It is considered cruel and unusual, because by the nature of their diagnosis, these
individuals have a lessened ability to understand the severity of their crimes.
1 answer
It is considered unethical to execute individuals with intellectual disabilities due to their diminished capacity to understand their actions and the consequences of their crimes. This is seen as a violation of the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.