Justice Stevens

Atkins v. Virginia


Facts
-The eight amendment was used
- It was decided in a 6-3 majority vote
- Supreme Court ruled that executing mentally retarded people was unconstitutional
- Stanford v. Kentucky was used as a precedent for this case
- Daryl Renard Atkins was convicted of abduction, armed robbery, and capital murder
- A forensic psychologist testified that Atkins was mentally retarded. 


Questions
- What is the public's attitude toward the ruling of this case?
- Should there have been more than one witness?
- What are punishments for people who are mentally retarded today?
- Were any mentally retarded people executed before this case?