Atkins v. Virginia

Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304 (2002), is a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court.

Daryl Atkins was convicted of capital murder in Virginia. A psychologist testified that Atkins had an IQ of 59 and was mildly mentally retarded. After sentencing Atkins to death, the jury learned of his intellectual disability. Atkins challenged his death sentence as violating the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Significance

Justice Stevens’ 6-3 opinion held that executing individuals with intellectual disabilities violates the Eighth Amendment. The Court found a national consensus against such executions, as reflected in state legislation, and concluded that the diminished capacity of intellectually disabled offenders reduces the retributive and deterrent justifications for the death penalty. Atkins overruled Penry v. Lynaugh (1989) and effectively exempted intellectually disabled defendants from capital punishment, though states were left to define the standards for determining intellectual disability.

Category

US Federal Case Law