Responses
They are not over the age of 18, so they cannot understand the severity of their crimes.
They are not over the age of 18, so they cannot understand the severity of their crimes.
Roper v. Simmons found this sentencing to be unconstitutional.
Roper v. Simmons found this sentencing to be unconstitutional.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are only allowed to be sentenced to death for homicide.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are only allowed to be sentenced to death for homicide.
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
The correct response is:
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.
This reasoning is based on the Supreme Court's decision in Atkins v. Virginia (2002), which ruled that executing individuals with intellectual disabilities violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
