# data[].attributes.body
Daryl Atkins robbed and kidnapped Eric Nesbitt. Atkins was not satisfied with the amount of money, so he drove Nesbitt into the woods. Atkins shot Nesbitt eight times, killing him.

# data[].attributes.body
Virginia

# data[].attributes.body
Daryl Renard Atkins

# data[].attributes.body
Daryl Atkins was sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murder of Eric Nesbitt. Defense argued that Atkins was mildly "retarded," so the sentencing was inappropriate. Upon further testing and a retrial, it was found that Atkins' IQ was average and he was sentenced to death again.

# data[].attributes.body
Whether the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment prohibits the execution of individuals with mental retardation

# data[].attributes.body
8th Amendment, especially cruel and unusual punishments

# data[].attributes.body
The original case was appealed because the Defense said that Daryl Atkins' IQ was slightly below average. Therefore, they claimed that the death sentence was unfair.

# data[].attributes.body
Penry v. Lynaugh, Weems v. United States, Harmeling v. Michigan, Godfrey v. Georgia.

# data[].attributes.body
The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled that executions of "mentally retarded" criminals are "cruel and unusual punishments" prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. He could not be sentenced to death merely because he is "mentally retarded."

# data[].attributes.body
It was argued that the execution of Daryl Atkins was ineligible and that further testing should have been done. The U.S. Supreme Court later reviewed the case and decided that the death penalty was not appropriate.

# data[].attributes.body
SCOTUS decided that executions of "mentally retarded" criminals are "cruel and unusual punishments." The margin was 6:3. The majority agreed that Atkins should not be sentenced to death. The dissenting side argued that due to the cruel manner of the case, Atkins should face the responsibility of being tried and punished.

# data[].attributes.headline
What effect did this case have on society/history/future cases?

# data[].attributes.subject
What effect did this case have on society/history/future cases?

# data[].attributes.body
Adults with an intellectual disability are not eligible for execution. Now, it is of great importance that psychologists thoroughly and timely test individuals.

# data[].attributes.body
Oyez

APA

JAAPL