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2003 SESSION
SB 1239 Death penalty; mental retardation.
Introduced by: Thomas K. Norment, Jr. | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles | history
SUMMARY AS ENACTED WITH GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION:
Death penalty; mental retardation. Establishes procedures for determining whether a defendant in a capital case is mentally retarded and may not be sentenced to death. In June the United States Supreme Court in Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S.___ (2002) held that the execution of a mentally retarded person is cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. This bill defines mental retardation, sets procedures for determining whether a defendant meets the definition and provides for the appointment of expert evaluators. When mental retardation is at issue, a determination will be made by the jury (or judge in bench trials) as part of the sentencing proceeding. The defendant bears the burden of proving mental retardation by a preponderance of the evidence. The bill establishes a procedure for defendants sentenced to death prior to the effective date of the bill to raise the issue of mental retardation. This bill is identical to HB 1923.
SUMMARY AS PASSED:
Death penalty; mental retardation. Establishes procedures for determining whether a defendant in a capital case is mentally retarded and may not be sentenced to death. In June the United States Supreme Court in Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S.___ (2002) held that the execution of a mentally retarded person is cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. This bill defines mental retardation, sets procedures for determining whether a defendant meets the definition and provides for the appointment of expert evaluators. When mental retardation is at issue, a determination will be made by the jury (or judge in bench trials) as part of the sentencing proceeding. The defendant bears the burden of proving mental retardation by a preponderance of the evidence. The bill establishes a procedure for defendants sentenced to death prior to the effective date of the bill to raise the issue of mental retardation. This bill is identical to HB 1923.
SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:
Death penalty; mental retardation. Establishes procedures for determining whether a defendant in a capital case is mentally retarded and may not be sentenced to death. In June the United States Supreme Court in Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S.___ (2002) held that the execution of a mentally retarded person is cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. This bill defines mental retardation, sets procedures for determining whether a defendant meets the definition and provides for the appointment of expert evaluators. When mental retardation is at issue, a determination will be made by the jury (or judge in bench trials) as part of the sentencing proceeding. The defendant bears the burden of proving mental retardation by a preponderance of the evidence. The bill establishes a procedure for defendants sentenced to death prior to the effective date of the bill to raise the issue of mental retardation.
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Death penalty; mental retardation. Establishes procedures for determining whether a defendant in a capital case is mentally retarded and may not be sentenced to death. In June the United States Supreme Court in Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S.___ (2002) held that the execution of a mentally retarded person is cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. This bill defines mental retardation, sets procedures for determining whether a defendant meets the definition and provides for the appointment of expert evaluators. When mental retardation is at issue, a determination will be made by the jury (or judge in bench trials) as part of the sentencing proceeding. The defendant bears the burden of proving mental retardation by a preponderance of the evidence. The bill establishes a procedure for defendants sentenced to death prior to the effective date of the bill to raise the issue of mental retardation.