Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court is discussing a case about whether Joseph Clifton Smith, who is on death row in Alabama, is too intellectually disabled to be executed. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito seem to support Alabama's position that Smith should not be exempt from execution based on his IQ scores. The case could affect how intellectual disability is determined in death penalty cases across the U.S.
Key Facts
- The Supreme Court case is called Hamm v. Smith.
- Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito appear to favor allowing Smith's execution.
- Smith's IQ scores range from 72 to 78, above the typical cutoff of 70 for intellectual disability.
- Lower courts have considered Smith intellectually disabled based on other factors besides IQ.
- Alabama wants the court to focus solely on IQ scores above 70.
- The decision could change how intellectual disability is assessed in death penalty cases nationwide.
- The legal and medical community emphasizes using a broader set of criteria beyond IQ alone.
- Smith was convicted for the 1997 murder of Durk Van Dam.
