Atkins V. Virginia: Redefining Capital Punishment for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Words: 370 1039In 2002 the Supreme Court of the United States made a pivotal decision in Atkins v. Virginia that fundamentally altered the landscape of capital punishment jurisprudence. This landmark case centered on the legality of executing individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities sparking significant debates about justice and constitutional rights in the context of criminal law. The case originated with Daryl Renard Atkins convicted in 1996 of abduction armed robbery and murder in Virginia. Central to Atkins' appeal was his diagnosis of […]