Daryl Renard Atkins was convicted of abduction, armed robbery, and capital murder. After driving Nesbitt to an ATM and demanding him to withdraw additional cash at gun point, the two shot and killed their victim. Atkins v. Virginia Case Brief - Rule of Law: Under the Eighth Amendment, the capital punishment of a mentally retarded convict is cruel and unusual. Subsequent to their arrest, Atkins and Jones were charged with capital murder, armed robbery and abduction. "Construing and applying the Eighth Amendment in the light of our 'evolving standards of decency,' we therefore conclude that such punishment is excessive and that the Constitution 'places a substantive restriction on the State's power to take the life' of a mentally retarded offender," wrote Justice Stevens. In the penalty phase of Atkins' trial, the defense relied on one witness, a forensic psychologist, who testified that Atkins was mildly mentally disabled (or \"mentally retarded\" in the vernacular of the day). In Atkins V. Virginia, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the execution of any person who is mentally handicapped or challenged was a direct violation of the 8th Amendment to the United States Constitution. CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT OF VIRGINIA. The … Statement of the facts: Daryl Atkins and William Jones captured and robbed Eric Nesbitt. Supreme Court of Virginia reversed and remanded.
The jury sentenced Atkins to death, but the Virginia Supreme Court ordered a second sentencing hearing because the trial court had used a misleading verdict form.
Atkins was convicted of capital murder and related crimes by a Virginia jury and sentenced to death. Not only did the Supreme Court not allow Mr. Atkins to be put to death, but they also overturned the case. In the penalty phase of Atkins' trial, the defense relied on one witness, a forensic psychologist, who testified that Atkins was mildly mentally disabled (or "mentally retarded" in the vernacular of the day). However, the Court agreed to address the issue in Atkins v. Virginia. During resentencing the same forensic psychologist testified, but this ti… In affirming, the Virginia Supreme Court relied on Penry v. Lynaugh, in rejecting Atkins' contention that he could not be sentenced to death because he is mentally retarded. The jury again sentenced Atkins to death. Since it last confronted the issue, the Court reasoned that a significant number of States have concluded that death is not a suitable punishment for a mentally retarded criminal. Moreover, the Court concluded that there was serious concern whether either justification underpinning the death penalty - retribution and deterrence of capital crimes - applies to mentally retarded offenders, due to their lessened culpability. Facts. During resentencing the same forensic psychologist testified, but this time the State rebutted Atkins' intelligence. Atkins' attorneys claim he is mildly retarded, with an IQ of 59.
The jury sentenced Atkins to death, but the Virginia Supreme Court ordered a second sentencing hearing because the trial court had used a misleading verdict form. Petitioner Atkins was convicted of capital murder and related crimes by a Virginia jury and sentenced to death. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and Justice Antonin Scalia filed dissenting opinions. A forensic Dr. for the defense … "This newest invention promises to be more effective than any of the others in turning the process of capital trial into a game," argued Justice Scalia. Justice Clarence Thomas joined both. The jury sentenced Atkins to death, but the Virginia Supreme Court ordered a second sentencing hearing because the trial court had used a misleading verdict form. Affirming, the Virginia Supreme Court relied on Penry v. Lynaugh, 492 U. S. 302, in rejecting Atkins' contention that he could not be sentenced to death because he is mentally retarded. During resentencing the same forensic psychologist testified, but this time the State rebutted Atkins' intelligence. A Virginia law allowing the execution of mentally handicapped individuals violated the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishments. In a 6-3 opinion delivered by Justice John Paul Stevens, the Court held that executions of mentally retarded criminals are "cruel and unusual punishments" prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. Case Brief for Atkins v. Virginia. Daryl Renard Atkins was convicted of abduction, armed robbery, and capital murder. Yes. Is the execution of mentally retarded persons "cruel and unusual punishment" prohibited by the Eighth Amendment?
The jury sentenced Atkins to death, but the Virginia Supreme Court ordered a second sentencing hearing because the trial court had used a misleading verdict form.
Atkins was convicted of capital murder and related crimes by a Virginia jury and sentenced to death. Not only did the Supreme Court not allow Mr. Atkins to be put to death, but they also overturned the case. In the penalty phase of Atkins' trial, the defense relied on one witness, a forensic psychologist, who testified that Atkins was mildly mentally disabled (or "mentally retarded" in the vernacular of the day). However, the Court agreed to address the issue in Atkins v. Virginia. During resentencing the same forensic psychologist testified, but this ti… In affirming, the Virginia Supreme Court relied on Penry v. Lynaugh, in rejecting Atkins' contention that he could not be sentenced to death because he is mentally retarded. The jury again sentenced Atkins to death. Since it last confronted the issue, the Court reasoned that a significant number of States have concluded that death is not a suitable punishment for a mentally retarded criminal. Moreover, the Court concluded that there was serious concern whether either justification underpinning the death penalty - retribution and deterrence of capital crimes - applies to mentally retarded offenders, due to their lessened culpability. Facts. During resentencing the same forensic psychologist testified, but this time the State rebutted Atkins' intelligence. Atkins' attorneys claim he is mildly retarded, with an IQ of 59.
The jury sentenced Atkins to death, but the Virginia Supreme Court ordered a second sentencing hearing because the trial court had used a misleading verdict form. Petitioner Atkins was convicted of capital murder and related crimes by a Virginia jury and sentenced to death. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and Justice Antonin Scalia filed dissenting opinions. A forensic Dr. for the defense … "This newest invention promises to be more effective than any of the others in turning the process of capital trial into a game," argued Justice Scalia. Justice Clarence Thomas joined both. The jury sentenced Atkins to death, but the Virginia Supreme Court ordered a second sentencing hearing because the trial court had used a misleading verdict form. Affirming, the Virginia Supreme Court relied on Penry v. Lynaugh, 492 U. S. 302, in rejecting Atkins' contention that he could not be sentenced to death because he is mentally retarded. During resentencing the same forensic psychologist testified, but this time the State rebutted Atkins' intelligence. A Virginia law allowing the execution of mentally handicapped individuals violated the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishments. In a 6-3 opinion delivered by Justice John Paul Stevens, the Court held that executions of mentally retarded criminals are "cruel and unusual punishments" prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. Case Brief for Atkins v. Virginia. Daryl Renard Atkins was convicted of abduction, armed robbery, and capital murder. Yes. Is the execution of mentally retarded persons "cruel and unusual punishment" prohibited by the Eighth Amendment?