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Atkins V. Virginia (2002) 536 U.S. 304

Atkins V. Virginia (2002) 536 U.S. 304 . By: Chastity Reynolds . Daryl Atkins (Petitioner). Background. Daryl Atkins & William Jones Marijuana & Alcoholic Beverages Intoxicated while at store Kidnapped and robbed a “21-year-old, man Eric Nesbitt”

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Atkins V. Virginia (2002) 536 U.S. 304

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  1. AtkinsV. Virginia (2002)536 U.S. 304 By: Chastity Reynolds

  2. Daryl Atkins (Petitioner)

  3. Background • Daryl Atkins & William Jones • Marijuana & Alcoholic Beverages • Intoxicated while at store • Kidnapped and robbed a “21-year-old, man Eric Nesbitt” • Nesbitt was shot eight times in the “thorax, abdomen, arms, and legs”

  4. Background • Surveillance cameras placed Atkins and Jones at the scene of the crime • Both arrested • Jones took a plea bargain for stating Atkins was the actual murderer

  5. Trial • February 1998, Atkins was convicted of “capital murder and robbery” in York County, Virginia • Verdict was the death penalty • Acquitted due to failure of instructions of the jury

  6. Retrial • Atkins stated that he is mentally retarded • Second jury affirmed verdict

  7. Virginia Supreme Court(Atkins arguments) • Atkins had an “IQ of 59” • Death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment • Mind of an average nine year old • IQ test revealed he suffered from a “mild” case of mental retardation • In the “bottom 2%” of the adult people

  8. Virginia Supreme Court(Court arguments) • Penry V. Lynaugh (1989) 492 U.S.302 • Only to avoid death penalty • American Psychiatric Association • Upheld decision of lower court

  9. United States Supreme Court • Does the Eighth Amendment prohibit the execution of mentally retarded prisoners convicted of capital crimes? • September 25, 2001 • granted certiorari • Gravity of the concerns expressed by the dissenters • Due to the shift in the “past 13 years” on the view of the execution of mentally retarded individuals.

  10. United States Supreme Court • Final vote: 6 to 3 • Ruled in favor of the petitioner Atkins • Reversed the judgment of the lower courts

  11. Justices(Majority) • Justice Stevens: executing mentally retarded criminals is equivalent to cruel and unusual punishment which is “prohibited” by the eighth amendment • standards of decency has consequently changed

  12. Justices(Dissenters) • Chief Justice Rehnquist, Justice Thomas and Justice Scalia • majority relied on “foreign laws, views of professional and religious organizations, and opinion polls” • violated the eighth amendment, leads to increase in inmates alleging that they also have mental retardation Chief Justice Rehnquist

  13. Works Cited • Turner, Alison, and Diana Hess. "Street Law, Inc." Supreme Court Case Studies: By Topic. Street Law, Inc., 1972. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. • Scott, MD, Charles L., and Joan Gerbasi, JD, MD B. Gerbasi, JD, MD. "Atkins v. Virginia: Execution of Mentally."The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law 31.1 (2003): 101-05. Http://www.jaapl.org/content/31/1/101.full.pdf. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. • Amazon. Daryl Atkins. Digital image. Amazon. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013 • Bourg, Chris. Chief Justice Rehnquist. Digital image. Stanford, 22 Oct. 2008. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. • Farlex. Justice Stevens. Digital image. Stevens, John Paul. Farlex, 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.

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