us Texas to execute inmate diagnosed as 'mentally retarded'

[DocM]

Expanding on that -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/attorneys-want-killer-of-texas-police-snitch-spared-from-execution-because-of-low-iq-score/2012/08/07/b1f855b0-e0a4-11e1-8d48-2b1243f34c85_story.html

>

Marvin Wilson, 54, was found to have a 61 IQ on a 2004 test, putting him below the generally accepted minimum competency standard of 70, his attorneys contend in an appeal before the justices.

Attorneys for the state argue that Wilson?s claim is based on a single test that may have been faulty and that his mental impairment claim isn?t supported by other tests and assessments of him over the years.

>

In its 2002 ruling outlawing the execution of the mentally impaired, the Supreme Court left it to states to determine what constitutes mental impairment.

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State attorneys say the court left it to states to develop appropriate standards for enforcing the ban and that Texas chose to incorporate a number of factors besides an inmate?s IQ, including the inmate?s adaptive behavior and functioning.

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Edward Marshall, a Texas assistant attorney general, said records show Wilson habitually gave less than full effort and ?was manipulative and deceitful when it suited his interest,? and that the state considered his ability to show personal independence and social responsibility in making its determinations.

?Considering Wilson?s drug-dealing, street-gambler, criminal lifestyle since an early age, he was obviously competent at managing money, and not having a 9-to-5 job is no critical failure,? Marshall said. ?Wilson created schemes using a decoy to screen his thefts, hustled for jobs in the community, and orchestrated the execution of the snitch, demonstrating inventiveness, drive and leadership.?

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[dr_crabman]

People have abortions because they know the kid is going to come out retarded. Not a HUGE difference like you say, so it is hypocritical. Who can define when life starts? And btw, a baby is a full grown human so are you alright with killing them?

There are certain disabilities that can be detected very early on but of course I'm not for abortion after a few months when the fetus has clearly grown to become a real human being. Which isn't allowed for good reasons under normal circumstances. But aborting a fetus after a number of weeks? Fine by me and in no way comparable to killing a mentally disabled 54 year old man.

[theyarecomingforyou]

You're never going to come to a consensus when it comes to abortion, so the only reasonable course is to make it a personal choice for the mother. A foetus lacks sentience and therefore is not a person in its own right.

[Routerbad]

Expanding on that -

http://www.washingto...4c85_story.html

Expanding further, the Diagnostic Criteria for AntiSocial Personality Disorder:

A. There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three (or more) of the following:

(1) failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest

(2) deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure

(3) impulsivity or failure to plan ahead

(4)

irritability

and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults

(5) reckless disregard for safety of self or others

(6) consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations

(7) lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another

B. The individual is at least age 18 years.

C. There is evidence of

Conduct Disorder

with onset before age 15 years.

D. The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of

Schizophrenia

or a

Manic Episode

.

http://behavenet.com/node/21650

Just with that statement he would meet the diagnostic criteria for ASPD, as long as it wasn't determined he was schizophrenic or in the middle of a manic episode (if bipolar).

This disorder doesn't preclude you from making decisions or being held responsible for them. Some would argue that ASPD would make you mare likely to commit heinous crimes, though.

[Tom]

And yet aren't you for abortion?

I find it totally hypocritical that the left is against the death penalty and yet for abortion. I also find it hypocritical that the right is against abortion and yet for the death penalty.

What?

No to the death penalty because of the reason I stated. Yes to abortion because life does not start at conception and a woman is responsible for her own body and her own decisions. I find it hypocritical that you right-wingers are all for anti-choice but when it comes to giving that mother any help when she has that baby that you made her have you run as far away as you can possibly get.

To add to the hypocrisy, you are usually for 'small government'. Why if you're for small government are you interfering with such a big decision in a woman's life?

[Nothing Here]

I for one am for the death penalty. But am against abortion to a certain extent. If a woman is raped, or if she will die by carrying the child. But a lot of younger women now feel it is ok to have an abortion because they are not ready to be a mother. I feel if your willing to play, then both the man and woman need to pay the piper so to speak.

But this thread isn't about abortion, it's about Texas executing a criminal who was found competent to stand trial. So if he was found competent enough for trial, it doesn't matter what they find now. He must be executed. Before someone asks: "Well what if it was you or a family member, then how would you feel?" I would feel the same damn way. You take someone's life in cold blood then you should be executed.

[Tender Foot]

Well he is dead now "Convicted murderer with IQ of 61 executed in Texas"

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/07/justice/texas-execution/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

[nominak]

Well, if he was executed while recognized medically as mentally retarded, then Texas just broke their own law.

[DocM]

Not really. Texas followed its law, which has a 2 part test for being mentally disabled. He sort of qualified on part 1** but not part 2.

** The test that said an IQ of 61 (the lower limit is 70) was almost a decade ago, and has been the subject of much dispute - especially in light of later tests that didn't support its conclusions or indicated deception on his part. Using it as the gospel in this case is therefore highly problematic; straw grasping by the anti-death penalty crowd..

[Memphis]

You're never going to come to a consensus when it comes to abortion, so the only reasonable course is to make it a personal choice for the mother. A foetus lacks sentience and therefore is not a person in its own right.

That's bad logic, your basically saying we can never agree so give your stance up. As a healthcare worker who has taken fetal anatomy and physiology courses, my resolve to be pro life has been only strengthened by the backing of science.

[FloatingFatMan]

So he has a chance to be proven innocent? The trial will drag on and on when everyone knows he's guilty even the court of law. I'm not saying this should be the case for ALL cases but when someone shoots up a bunch of people and has numerous witnesses and gives him self up to the police. He's guilty right there and everyone knows it.

In a world where OJ Simpson was found innocent of murder, anything is possible.