Supreme Court Weighs Death Penalty for Man With Borderline IQ Scores

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on a critical death penalty case. Justices debated whether Alabama can execute Joseph Clifton Smith. The lower courts found him intellectually disabled.

The case tests the legal standard for intellectual disability in capital punishment. A ruling is expected by early summer. It could reshape how courts handle similar borderline cases nationwide.

The Legal Battle Over IQ and Execution

Smith was convicted of a 1997 murder. He has been on Alabama’s death row for decades. His legal team argues he is constitutionally ineligible for execution.

The Supreme Court banned executing the intellectually disabled in 2002. Later rulings said states must consider more than just IQ scores. Courts should look at a holistic view of a person’s abilities.

Smith’s five IQ tests showed scores from 72 to 78. These are above the common cutoff of 70. But his lawyers point to significant life deficits.

He dropped out of school in the seventh grade. At the time of the crime, his math skills were at a kindergarten level. His reading was at a fourth-grade level.

A Nationwide Impact on Death Row

The decision will have consequences far beyond Alabama. Twenty other states joined Alabama’s appeal. They seek clearer, more restrictive rules for such claims.

A ruling for Alabama could mean stricter reliance on IQ numbers. A ruling for Smith would affirm a broader, case-by-case analysis. This creates uncertainty for other inmates on death row.

According to Reuters, the conservative-leaning Court appeared divided. Some justices worried about endless litigation. Others emphasized the need for flexible, humane standards.

The case highlights a persistent tension in American law. It balances finality in justice with protecting the most vulnerable defendants. The outcome will set a precedent for future challenges.

The Supreme Court’s impending decision will redefine the boundary between intellectual disability and criminal culpability in death penalty cases, impacting hundreds of inmates nationally.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the IQ score cutoff for intellectual disability?

There is no single national cutoff. A score of approximately 70 or below is widely used as a clinical indicator. However, courts must consider the test’s margin of error and other life evidence.

Why did lower courts rule in Smith’s favor?

Federal judges looked beyond his IQ scores. They considered his academic records and adaptive functioning deficits diagnosed in youth. They applied a “holistic” approach as directed by earlier Supreme Court rulings.

What crime did Joseph Clifton Smith commit?

He was convicted for the 1997 beating death of Durk Van Dam in Mobile County, Alabama. Prosecutors said the victim was robbed and killed with a hammer.

How many states support Alabama’s position?

Alabama’s appeal is supported by 20 other states. They argue for a more uniform standard to avoid protracted litigation in every borderline death penalty case.

When will the final ruling be issued?

A decision in the case, known as *Hamm v. Smith*, is expected by early summer. The Supreme Court typically issues all its term’s rulings by late June or early July.