Supreme Court Dismisses Alabama's Appeal in Case of Intellectually Disabled Death Row Inmate
The Supreme Court recently dismissed Alabama's request to execute a convicted murderer, Joseph Clifton Smith, who was found to be intellectually disabled by lower courts. Smith, who has been on death row for over two decades, was convicted of beating a man to death in 1997. The Supreme Court has previously ruled against executing intellectually disabled individuals and has emphasized the need to consider additional evidence beyond IQ scores in borderline cases.
Smith's case revolves around the challenge of interpreting multiple IQ scores that hover slightly above the threshold of 70, which is considered indicative of intellectual disability. His IQ tests yielded scores ranging from 72 to 78, and his educational background and cognitive abilities further support his intellectual limitations. Despite arguments presented to the Supreme Court in December, the court opted to dismiss the appeal, maintaining the lower court's ruling.
The decision to dismiss the case was made by a majority consisting of three liberal justices, along with Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. On the other hand, the four conservative justices dissented, criticizing the handling of the case by the federal appeals court in Atlanta and suggesting a re-examination of Smith's situation. This unusual action by the Supreme Court underscores the complexity of addressing borderline cases of intellectual disability within the criminal justice system.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court's dismissal of Alabama's appeal in the case of Joseph Clifton Smith highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the execution of individuals with intellectual disabilities. The nuances of interpreting IQ scores and considering additional factors in determining intellectual disability underscore the need for careful examination and legal clarity in such cases.