In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court blocked the execution of a Texas man with schizophrenia who admitted to killing his in-laws. An important element in this closely watched case asked whether Scott Panetti knew the legal consequences of his action. Writing for the majority, Justice Kennedy said, "[g]ross delusions stemming from a severe mental disorder may put an awareness of a link between a crime and its punishment in a context so far removed from reality that the punishment can serve no proper purpose." He was joined by Justices Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg, and Breyer. In a dissent symbolic of the Court's chasm, Justice Thomas doubted there was a "substantial threshold showing of insanity." Panetti had been hospitalized 14 times for his illness.
Consider This
by Phyllis Vine
MIWatch.org on Facebook
Relevant Sites
- Visit the Illinois neurology department of Northshore
Featured Videos
Most Popular
MIWatch Archives
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
