Death

Hamm v. Smith and the Future of Capital Punishment

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The case of Hamm v. Smith has emerged as a focal point in the ongoing debate surrounding capital punishment and its constitutional implications. This case, which centers on the intellectual disability of Joseph Clifton Smith, raises significant questions about the standards used to determine eligibility for the death penalty. As the legal landscape evolves, the outcomes of such cases may have far-reaching consequences for the future of capital punishment in the United States. The Constitutional Context of Hamm v. Smith At the heart of Hamm v. Smith lies the pivotal issue of whether Smith qualifies … Read more

Court appears divided on whether lower courts properly found death row inmate to be intellectually disabled

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The Supreme Court recently grappled with the complex case of Joseph Smith, an Alabama man who has spent over two decades on death row. The core issue at hand is whether the lower courts adequately assessed Smith’s assertion of intellectual disability, which is critical in determining his eligibility for execution. Smith’s situation is particularly challenging due to the fact that he has undergone five separate IQ tests over nearly four decades, yielding varying results that complicate the legal proceedings surrounding his death sentence. Background of the Case Smith’s legal battle is rooted in the Supreme … Read more

Court to Consider the Role of IQ Tests in Ban on Executing People Who Are Intellectually Disabled

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The question of whether individuals with intellectual disabilities should be exempt from the death penalty has gained renewed attention as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in the case of Hamm v. Smith. This case will address the complexities surrounding the assessment of intellectual disability, particularly in relation to IQ testing. The outcome could have significant implications for how courts evaluate similar claims in the future, especially in light of the precedent set by the landmark decision in Atkins v. Virginia in 2002, which ruled that executing individuals with intellectual disabilities constitutes cruel and … Read more

$205 Million Verdict in Tragic Amusement Park Death: Jury Holds Glenwood Caverns and Ride Manufacturer Accountable

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GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. — A jury has awarded over $200 million to the family of a six-year-old girl who tragically died in a fall from a ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in 2021. The family had filed a wrongful death suit in October of that year, and the jury reached a verdict on Friday, determining that the family would receive $205 million. The lawsuit targeted both Glenwood Caverns Holdings, LLC, the parent company of the amusement park, and the ride’s manufacturer, Soaring Eagle, Inc. Wongel Estifanos fell 110 feet from the Haunted Mine Drop … Read more