Post by janet on Jul 27, 2005 11:48:27 GMT -5
During the trial of Daryl Atkins, in reports to the court, one doctor said the improved scores are the result of structured prison life combined with repeated test taking. Another said nearly a decade worth of strategy sessions with attorneys stimulated Atkins' intellect. Still others say his current IQ isn't important - that his intelligence at the time of the murder is what really matters.
Stanton Samenow is amone those who believe Atkins is not retarded. An Anexandria psychologist, Samenow was hired by prosecutors to evaluate Atkins. Samenow included exerpts from their sessions in his book, "Inside the Criminal Mind."
Over the next two weeks, about 100 witnesses are expected to weigh in on the question.
Anti-death-penalty and civil rights groups will be among those watching closely. the NAACP held a news conference on the steps of the York courthouse Tuesday. Atkins is black and his victim was white. The Nation Association for the Advancement of Colored People objects to only one black person being placed on the jury.
Jack Payden-Travers of the Charlottesville-based Virginians for Alternative to the Death Penalty also came to Yorktown on Tuesday.
"Unfortunately, rather than trying to comply with the Supreme Court, Virginia is still trying to execute the mentally retarded," Payden-Travers said.
Circuit Court Judge Prentis Smiley Jr. presided over the original proceedings, and is the same judge overseeing Atkins current trial. He found the defendant fully able to comprehend his case and its consequences.
(source: The Virginian-Pilot)
Stanton Samenow is amone those who believe Atkins is not retarded. An Anexandria psychologist, Samenow was hired by prosecutors to evaluate Atkins. Samenow included exerpts from their sessions in his book, "Inside the Criminal Mind."
Over the next two weeks, about 100 witnesses are expected to weigh in on the question.
Anti-death-penalty and civil rights groups will be among those watching closely. the NAACP held a news conference on the steps of the York courthouse Tuesday. Atkins is black and his victim was white. The Nation Association for the Advancement of Colored People objects to only one black person being placed on the jury.
Jack Payden-Travers of the Charlottesville-based Virginians for Alternative to the Death Penalty also came to Yorktown on Tuesday.
"Unfortunately, rather than trying to comply with the Supreme Court, Virginia is still trying to execute the mentally retarded," Payden-Travers said.
Circuit Court Judge Prentis Smiley Jr. presided over the original proceedings, and is the same judge overseeing Atkins current trial. He found the defendant fully able to comprehend his case and its consequences.
(source: The Virginian-Pilot)