FI LED U.S. COURT OF APPEALS ELEV ENT H CI RCUI T MAY 2 7, 20 10 J OHN LEY CLERK [PUBLISH] IN THE UN ITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELE VENTH CIRCUIT

No. 0 9- 12 86 9 D. C. Dock etNo. 0 1- 00 77 2- CV-CLS- RRA KENNET H GLENNTHOMAS, Pet it io ne r-Ap pe ll ee, ve rs us RICHAR D F. ALLEN, Res po nd en t-Ap pe ll an t.

App eal fro m

th e Uni te d S ta te s Di st ric t Co urt fo r th e North ernDis tri ctof Al ab am a

(Ma y 2 7, 2 01 0) Befo re DUBINA, Ch ie f Ju dg e, BARKETT andW ILSON, Cir cu itJu dg es . DUBINA, Ch ie f Ju dg e:App el la nt , Ric ha rdAll en , Comm is si on er o f th e Alaba m a Dep art m en t o f

Co rrec ti on s, ap pe al s t he di st ric t co urt o rd er g ran ti ng Kenn eth Gl en n Th om as pe na lty ph as e h ab eas rel ie f ba se d o n i ts fin di ng th atTho m as is m en ta ll y ret ard ed
an d i ne li gi bl e fo r ex ecu ti on pu rs ua ntto Atki ns v. Vir gi ni a , 53 6 U.S. 3 04 , 12 2 S
. Ct . 22 42 (20 02 ). Becaus e we co nc lu de th atth e d is tri ctco urt d idno t cl earl y err i n it s m en ta l re ta rd at io n fi nd in g, we af firm . I. BACKG ROUND A Lim es to ne Co un ty, Alab am a, jury con vi ct edTho m as forth e in te nt io na l
m ur de r of Flo ss ie McLem or e dur in g t he co ur se of abu rg la ry . The jury un an im ou sl y

reco m m en de d ade ath s en te nc e, an d t he tri al co urt fo ll owe d t he jury’ s re co m

m en da ti on an d s en te nc edTho m as to de ath. Th e Alaba m a Co urt o f Cri m in al App eal s an d t he Alab am a Supr em e Co urt af firm edTho m as ’s con vi ct io n an d d eat h s en te nc e. Th oma s v. Sta te , 53 9 S o. 2 d 3 75 (Ala . Cri m . App . 19 88 ); Ex pa rt e Th oma s , 53 9 S o. 2 d 3 99 (Ala . 19 88 ). The Un it edSta te s Supr em e Co urt de ni edcert io rari rev ie w. Th oma s v. Alab ama , 49 1 U.S. 9 10 , 10 9 S . Ct. 3 20 1 (1 98 9)
. Tho m as fil eda st at e p et it io n fo r po st -co nv ic ti on rel ie f pu rs ua ntto Ala. R. Cri m . P. 32 , rai si ng nu m ero us cla im s fo r rel ie f. W it h re ga rdto Tho m as ’s cla im th athe was m en ta ll y

ret ard edan d e xe m

ptfro m ex ecu ti on un de r th e Eig ht h a nd 2Fo urte en th Am en dm en ts , th e tr ia l co urt d et erm in edth atth e cl ai m was pr oc edur al ly defau lt edun de r st at e ru le s b ecau se Tho m as co ul d h av e rai se d t he cl ai m at t ria l o r on di rectap pe al bu t fa il edto do so . Alte rn at iv el y , th e tr ia l co urt fo un d tha t the cla im

ha d b een rai se d andful ly lit ig at edat t ria l an d o n d ire ct ap pe al ; the refo re, i t was pre cl ud edfro m gra nt in g Th om as po st -co nv ic ti on rel ie f
un de r Ala . R. Cri m . P. 32 .2(a )(2 ) an d (a )(4 ). The s ta te tri al co urt al so he ldth at Tho m as was n otin factm en ta ll y ret ard edan d re

jecte d h is cla im . [Sta te R. 42 at 73 4– 36 .] W it h re gardto Tho m as ’s othe r cl ai m s, the tri al co urt d en ie d re li ef, an d aft er co nduc ti ng anev id en ti ary he ari ng on Tho m as ’s cla im th athi s t ria l co un se l were i ne ffec ti ve forno t i nv es ti ga ti ng an d d ev el op in g e vi de nc e to supp ort an in sa ni ty defen se , den ie d Th om as po st -co nv ic ti on rel ie f. The s ta te ap pe ll at e co urts affi rm ed
. Se e Th oma s v. Sta te , 76 6 S o. 2 d 8 60 (Ala . Cri m . App . 19 98 ) (h ol di ng th atTho m as ’s Eig ht h Am en dm en t cl ai m was p ro cedur al ly barre d und er s ta te pr oc edur al rul es an d tha t as a m at te r of fed eral co ns ti tu ti on al law, Th om as ’s Eig ht h Am en dm en t cl ai m was wi th ou t m eri t); Ex pa rt e Th oma s , 76 6 S o. 2 d 9 75 (Ala . 20 00 ). InMarc h 2 00 1, Th om as fil eda fed eral habe as pe ti ti on purs ua ntto 28 U.S.C. § 2 25 4 ra is in g num ero us ch al le ng es to hi s capi ta l m ur de r co nv ic ti on an d d eat h
se nt en ce. The di st ric t co urt d en ie d Th om as habe as rel ie f wit h o ne ex cep ti on—i t 3fo un d tha t the st at e co urt’s p os t-c on vi ct io n d et erm in at io n t ha t Th om as was n ot

m en ta ll y ret ard edwas c on tra ry

to , andanun reas on ab le ap pl ic at io n o f, cl earl y es tabl is he d fe de ral law as de te rm in edby the Supr em e Co urt i n Atki ns , as we ll as anun reas on ab le de te rm in at io n o f th e fac ts inli gh t o f th e ev id en ce p res en te d i n t he st at e p os t-c on vi ct io n c ou rt. [R . 86 at 2 50 –5 4 (c it in g 2 8 U.S.C. § 22 54 (d )).] 1 In it ia ll y , th e d is tri ctco urt o rd eredth atth e cas e b e rem an de d t o s ta te co urt fo r a reev al ua ti onof Th om as ’s m en ta l re ta rd at io n c la im , bu t l at er, upo n ajoi ntm ot io n o f th e p art ie s, the di st ric t co urt wi th dr ew th atpo rti on of i ts ord er an d s ch edul eda he ari ng on Tho m as ’s cla im of m en ta l re ta rd at io n. Aft er an Atki ns he ari ng , th e di st ric t co urt fo un d Th om as to be m en ta ll y ret ard edan d o rd eredth atth e Lim es to ne Co un ty, Alab am a, Ci rcu itCo urt re -s en te nc e h im to a te rm of l ife im pr is on m en t wi th ou t the po ss ib il it y of p aro le . The St at e ap pe al s. II . ISSUE

Be cause the Atkins decision announce d a “new rule of constitutional law made retroa ctive 1 to case s on collater al rev i ew , ” In r e Holladay , 331 F.3d 1169, 1172 (11th Cir. 2003), the district court noted that Thomas’s Eig hth Amendment claim that it would be crue l and unusual punishment to execute him beca

use he is mentally reta

rded could not be defa

ulted under state proce dural rules. Acc ording ly , the district co u rt g ave no defe renc e to the state courts’ opinions to the contra ry and revie wed the claim under the para meters set forth in the Anti-terr orism and Effe ctive Death Penalty Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (2006). In this appea l, the St at e d oes not challeng e the district court’s decision with respe ct to any proce dural bar. Thus, any such challeng e is deeme d abandone d, and we consi d er t h e m er i ts of the issue acc ording no defe renc e to any state court decision on this, or any tang entially -re lated, issue. See H olladay v. Allen , 555 F.3d 1346, 1348 n.1 ( 11th Cir. 2009).

4Whe th er the di st ric t co urt cl earl y erre d i n fi nd in g Th om as m en ta ll y ret ard ed
an d i ne li gi bl e fo r ex ecu ti on un de r th e Eig ht h Am en dm en t.

II I. STANDARD OF REVIE W

“ W e rev ie w th e d is tri ctco urt’s fi nd in g tha t [Th om as ] is m en ta ll y ret ard ed fo r cl ear e rro r.” Hol la da

y v. All en , 55 5 F .3d13 46 , 13 53 (11 th Cir . 20 09 ) (ci ta ti on om it te d) . “ Cl ear e rro r is a hi gh ly defer en ti al st an da rdof r ev ie w.” Hol to n v . Cit y of Th oma sv il le Sc h. Dist . , 42 5 F .3d13 25 , 13 50 (11 th Cir . 20 05 ). “ [A] find in g i s ‘clear ly erron eo us ’ whe n a lt ho ug h t he re i s ev id en ce t o s up po rt i t, the rev ie win g co urt o n t he en ti re ev id en ce i s l eftwith t he de fin it e an d fi rm co nv ic ti on th ata m is ta ke ha s b een co m

m it te d.” Ander

so n v . Cit y o f Bes se mer

Cit y, N.C. , 47 0 U.S. 56 4, 5 73 , 10 5 S . Ct. 1 50 4, 1 51 1 (1 98 5) (qu ot in g Uni te d Sta tes v. U. S. Gyps um Co
. , 33 3 U.S. 3 64 , 39 5, 6 8 S . Ct. 5 25 , 54 2 (1 94 8) ). IV. DIS CUSSI ON A. Co ntro ll in g L egal

Cr it er ia Unp ers ua de d t ha t the ex ecu ti on of m en ta ll y ret ard edcap it al off

en de rs wou ld“ m eas ur ab ly adv an ce the de te rren t o r th e ret rib ut iv e p ur po se of t he de ath pe na lty ,” th e Atki ns Co urt h el d t ha t the ex ecu ti on of m en ta ll y ret ard edcap it al of fen de rs vi ol at es th e Eig ht h Am en dm en t. 5 36 U.S. at 3 21 , 12 2 S . Ct. at22 52
. The Atki ns m ajor it y

ag reedth atm en ta ll y

ret ard edin di vi du al s s ho ul d b e p un is he d 5whe n the y

co m m itcri m es , bu t al so reco gn iz edth atth e d is ab il it ie s o f su ch pe rs on s in th e are as of r eas on , jud gm en t, an d i m pu ls e co ntro l d im in is h t he ir abi li ty to “ act with t he lev el of m or al cu lp ab il it y th atch arac te riz es th e m os t s eri ou s adul t cri m in al co nduc t.” Id
. at 3 06 , 12 2 S . Ct. at22 44 . The Co urt n ot edth at“ cl in ic al de fin it io ns of m en ta l re ta rd at io n re qu ire no t o nl y suba ve rag e in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g, b utals o s ig ni fic an t l im it at io ns inad ap ti ve sk il ls su ch as co m m un ic at io n, s el f-ca re, an d s el f-d ire ct io n t ha t b ecame m an ife stbe fo re ag e 1 8.” Id
. at 3 18 , 12 2 S . Ct. at22 50 . Becau se of t he se im pa irments , m en ta ll y

ret ard ed in di vi du al s “ ha ve di m in is he d c ap aci ti es to un de rs ta ndan d p ro ces s i nf orm at io n, t o co m m un ic at e, to ab st ractfro m

m is ta ke s an d l earnfro m

ex pe rie nc e, to en ga ge in lo gi cal reas on in g, t o c on tro l i m pu ls es , andto un de rs ta ndth e rea ct io ns of o th ers .” Id., 12 2 S . Ct. at22 50 . Thu s, the Co urt h el d t ha t “ de ath i s n ota su it ab le pu ni sh m en t fo r a m en ta ll y ret ard edcri m in al .” Id

. at 3 21 , 12 2 S . Ct. at22 52
. Altho ug h t he Atki ns Co urt al lu de d t o c li ni cal de fin it io ns pro po un de d b y th e Am eri canAss oc ia ti on on Men ta l Re ta rd at io n (“ AAMR”) an d t he Am eri can Ps y ch ia tri c Ass oc ia ti on (“ APA”), i t l eftto th e st at es th e d ev el op m en t o f st an da rd s fo r co urts to em

pl oy in m ak in g ade te rm in at io n o f whe th er an off en de r is m en ta ll y ret ard ed
. Id
. at 3 17 , 12 2 S . Ct. at22 50 . Thu s, we l oo k t o Al ab am a cas e law for gu id an ce b ecau se th e Alaba m a Leg is la tu re h as no t en act edan y leg is la ti on 6de ve lo pi ng pro cedur es by whi cha co urt m ay de te rm in e if

a cap it al de fen da ntis
m en ta ll y ret ard edan d t hu s i ne li gi bl e fo r ex ecu ti on . The Alab am a Supr em e Co urt i n Ex pa rt e Perki ns , 85 1 S o. 2 d 4 53 , 45 6 (Al a. 20 02 ), he ldth ata de fen da ntall eg in g a n Ei gh thAm en dm en t m en ta l re ta rd at io n cl ai m m us t s ho w th athe ha s s ig ni fic an tl y suba ve rag e in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g (I Q of 70 or b el ow) , si gn ifi can t o r subs ta nt ia l d efi ci ts in ad ap ti ve be ha vi or , andth at th es e p ro bl em s m an ife st edth em se lv es du rin g the de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od(be fo re th e ag e o f ei gh te en ). Later , inSmi th v. St at e , th e Alaba m a Supr em e Co urt ad de d
anad di ti on al ele m en t t o t he de fin it io n b y st at in g t ha t a d efen da ntm us t ex hi bi t si gn ifi can tl y

suba ve rag e in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g abi li ti es an d s ig ni fic an t d efi ci ts in ad ap ti ve be ha vi ordurin g t hr ee p eri od s o f hi s l ife : b efo re the ag e o f ei gh te en , on th e d at e o f th e cap it al off en se , andcu rren tl y . __

_ S o. 2 d _

__ , No. 1 06 04 27 , 20 07 W L 15 19 86 9, at*8 (Ala . May 25 , 20 07 ). “ All th ree f act or s m us t b e m etin ord er fo r a p ers on to be cla ss ifi edas m en ta ll y ret ard edforpu rp os es of a n Atki ns cla im .” Id
. 1. St an da rdiz ed

Ass es sme nt

Ins tr ume nt

s The two m os t wi de ly recog ni zedan d u ti li zedin te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g as se ss m en t i ns tru m en ts are t he W ech sl er Adul t In te ll ig en ce Sc al es (“ WAIS”) a nd th e St an fo rd -Bi ne t In te ll ig en ce Sc al es (“ SB" ). The ex pe rt wi tn es se s i n thi s ca se 7ut il iz edth es e in stru m en ts , as wel l as ot he rs , to ass es s Th om as ’s in te ll ectua l

fu nc ti on in g. W

he n c on si de rin g a n i nd iv idua l’s i nt el le ctua l fu nc ti on in g t es t s co re, 2 th e ev al ua to r m ay

co ns id er the Sta nd ardErro r of Mea su rem en t (“ SEM”) , whi ch is
anin de x o f th e v ari ab il it y of t es t s co res pro du cedby pers on s fo rm in g t he
no rm at iv e sa m

pl e. Inot he r wor ds , th e SEM i s a s ta ti st ic al m eas ur e th atall ows th e ev al ua to r to kn ow t he am ou ntof e rro r th atco ul d b e p res en t i n a ny tes t. The AAMR ac kn owl ed ge s t ha t the SEM h as be enest im at edto be th ree t o fi ve po in ts fo r wel l-s ta nd ard iz edm eas ur es of g en eral in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g. Hen ce, the IQ st an da rdsco re i s b ou nd edby a rang e th atwou ldbe ap pr ox im at el y th ree t o fo ur po in ts ab ov e an d b el ow the ob ta in edsco res . [R. 13 0 a t 2 0– 31 .] In Th om as ’s cas e, th e p art ie s s ti pu la te d t ha t a S EM o f ap pr ox im at el y pl us or m in us fiv e p oi nt s was pr op er fo r fu ll -s cal e IQ te stsco res pro du cedby the in te ll ig en ce as se ss m en t in st ru m en ts . [Id
. at 2 4.] An ev al ua to r m ay

als o c on si de r th e “ Fl ynneffe ct ,” a m etho d t ha t re co gn iz es th e fac t tha t IQ t es t s co res ha ve be enin crea si ng ov er t im e. [Id
. at 3 1– 39 .] The Fl ynn effe ctackno wled ge s t ha t as anin te ll ig en ce t es t ag es , or m ov es fart he r fro m th e d at e o n wh ic h i t was st an da rd iz ed , or n orm ed , th e m ean sco re o f th e p op ul at io n

We rely on the district court’s very thorough explanation of these standardized assessment 2 instruments and do not elabora te on them in this opini on. [R . 130 at 10–18.]

8as a who le on th atass es sm en t i ns tru m en t i nc reas es , th ereb y art ifi ci al ly infl at in g th e IQ sc or es of i nd iv idua l t es t s ub jects . There fo re, the IQ tes t s co res m us t b e reca li br at edto ke ep all tes t s ub jects on a le ve l p la y in g fi el d. Th e p art ie s i n t hi s cas e ag ree t ha t the Flynneffe ctis anem pi ric al ly pro ve n s ta ti st ic al fact ; h owe ve r, th ey di sa gr ee o n t he ex te ntto whi ch anin di vi du al tes t s ub ject’s IQ s co re s ho ul d b e ad jus te d t o t ak e in to co ns id erat io n t hi s p he no m en on . [Id
. at 3 3.]
a. Devel op men ta l Per io d The reco rdin di cat es th atTho m as ’s firs t i nt el le ctua l fu nc ti on in g e va lu at io n oc cu rredon Octo be r 4, 1 96 8, wh enTho m as was n in e y ears an d s ev enm on th s o f ag e. Dr. Davi d Lo iry, Ph.D., a ps y ch ol og is t, adm in is te reda sh ort fo rm ve rs io n o f th e Wechs le r In te ll ig en ce Sc al es forCh il dr en(“ W ISC” ). Acco rd in g t o Dr. Lo iry’ s rep ort, Th om as ’s est im at edful l-s cal e IQ sc or e o f 56 pl acedhi m ne ar the m id dl e o f th e ran ge of m od erat e m en ta l d efi ci en cy acco rd in g t o t he cla ss ifi cat io n s y st em ut il iz edby the APA. [R. Pet ’r E xh . 3 & 4 .] Dr. Loi ry reco m m en de d t ha t Th om as be pl acedin a sp eci al cla ss forth e educ ab le m en ta ll y ret ard ed . [Id
. ] Whe n Th om as was t hi rte en , he t oo k t he Cal ifo rn iaTestof M en ta l M atur it y , Sh ort Fo rm , alo ng with o th er s tu de nt s. Th attes t m eas ur edvario us asp ect s o f in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g, s uc h a s m em ory an d l og ic al reas on in g, atfiv e d iff eren t le ve ls of d iff

ic ul ty. Tho m as ’s com

po si te IQ sco re was 68 . The thi rdass es sm en t 9oc cu rredin Ju ne 19 73 , when Tho m as was fo urte eny ears an d t wo m on th s o f ag e.

At the reque stof Dr. Fr an k M . Cau th en , M.D., Dr. Loiry adm in is te redfou r te st s: th e fu ll W ISC; th e Wide R an ge Achi ev em en t Tes t; th e Ben de r Vis ua l M ot or Ges ta ltTest ; a f

ig ur e drawi ng tes t; an d aRo rs ch ach tes t. Tho m as ’s ful l-s cal e IQ
sc or e o n t he W ISC was 64 , andhi s o th er t es t re su lt s wer e p oo r. Dr. Loi ry co nc lu de d t ha t the re was no do ub t ab ou t Th om as ’s m en ta l re ta rd at io n. [Id
. ] Sh ortl y aft er Th om as ’s si xt een th bi rth da y , Ji m Lenz , a ps y ch om etris t fo r th e Lim es to ne Co un ty Scho ol Sy st em , adm in is te redth e WA IS t o Th om as to de te rm in e whe th er h e sh ou ldrem ai n i n s pe ci al educ at io n c la ss es . Tho m as ’s ful lsc al e IQ sc or e was 74 , andMr. Len z co nc lu de d t ha t Th om as was fu nc ti on in g i n th e educ ab le ran ge of m en ta l re ta rd at io n a ndsh ou ldrem ai n i n s pe ci al educ at io n cl as se s. [R. Pe t’r Exh . 6.] b. Pos t-devel op men ta l Per io d A m on th aft er Th om as ’s eig ht een th bi rth da y , Jo y ce Ra le y , a co un se lo r atth e W es t Li m es to ne Sch oo l, ad m in is te reda WAIS te stto Tho m as , andhe sco redhi s hi gh es t fu ll -s cal e IQ sc or e—7 7. Pri orto th e m ur de r tr ia l, wh enTho m as was twen ty-si x years o ld , Dr. K. H al l, a d oc to r atth e Tay lo r Hard in Secu re Me di cal Faci li ty, adm in is te redth e rev is edWAIS to Tho m as , who ha d aful l-s cal e IQ o f 71
. Dr. Hall co nc lu de d t ha t Th om as was fu nc ti on in g wi th in th e b or de rli ne ran ge of 10in te ll ect . Dr. Jam es Cro wde r, Ph .D., a ps y ch ol og is t, al so adm in is te reda rev is ed

WAIS to Tho m as pri or

to tri al , andTho m as ’s ful l-s cal e IQ sc or e was 65 . In Sep te m be r 20 07 , inpre pa rat io n fo r Tho m as ’s fed eral ev id en ti ary he ari ng on hi s Atki ns cla im , Dr. Harry

McC la renadm in is te reda WAIS-II I in te ll ig en ce as se ss m en t t o Th om as , andhe ob ta in eda fu ll -s cal e IQ sc or e o f 65 . Dr. McCl aren al so adm in is te reda te stto Tho m as to de te rm in e if Tho m as was m al in ge rin g, b ut th e te stres ul ts di d n otsu gg es t m al in ge rin g. Dr. Kare n S al ek in als o a dm in is te red
anin te ll ig en ce as se ss m en t t o Th om as pri orto th e fed eral ev id en ti ary he ari ng . She pe rfo rm edanSB5 in te ll ig en ce as se ss m en t wh ic h i nd ic at eda fu ll -s cal e IQ sc or e o f 62
. 2. Ada

pt iv e Beh av io r The AAMR d efi ne s the term “ ad ap ti ve be ha vi or ” as th e co ll ect io n o f
co nc ep tu al , so ci al , andpra ct ic al sk il ls th atpe op le lea rnin ord er t o fu nc ti on in th ei r ev eryday

li ve s. [R. 1 30 at 4 2–47 .] Se e a ls o Ho ll ad ay , 55 5 F .3dat 1 35 3. As
we no te d i n Hol la da

y , “ si gn ifi can t o r subs ta nt ia l d efi ci ts in ad ap ti ve be ha vi orare de fin edas c on cu rren t d efi ci ts or i m pa irments in pre se ntad ap ti ve fun ct io ni ng in at le as t two o f th e fo ll owi ng sk il l ar eas : co m m un ic at io n, s el f-ca re, h om e li vi ng , so ci al /i nt erp ers on al sk il ls , us e o f co m m un ity res ou rces , sel f-d ire ct io n, fu nc ti on al acad em ic sk il ls , work , lei su re, h eal th an d s afet y .” Id
. at 1 35 3 (i nt ern al qu ot at io n 11m ark s o m it te d) . There fo re, t o s at is fy th is pro ng of t he tes t fo r m en ta l re ta rd at io n, Tho m as m

us t s ho w a de fic ie nc y

in two of t he se li st edarea s. Se e id
. Bec au se Tho m as ha d n o s ta nd ard iz edad ap ti ve be ha vi orass es sm en ts du rin g hi s d ev el op m en ta l p eri od , th e p art ie s re vi ewedTho m as ’s publ ic sch oo l re co rd s, hi s s ta nd ard iz edtes t s co res , hi s s oc ia l wo rk er’s cas e rec or ds , andin te rv ie wed pe op le who were ac qu ai nt edwith Th om as du rin g t hi s p eri od , su ch as f am il y m em be rs an d t each ers . The d is tri ctco urt al so rev ie wedth es e d oc um en ts an d 3 rel ie d e xt en si ve ly on t he tes ti m on y pre se nt eddu rin g t he ev id en ti ary he ari ng to fin d t ha t Th om as sh owe d, b y a pr ep on de ran ce o f th e ev id en ce, tha t h e h ad si gn ifi can t d efi ci ts in ad ap ti ve fun ct io ni ng pri orto ag e ei gh te enin fiv e are as : (1 ) fu nc ti on al acad em ic s; (2) work ; (3 ) so ci al an d i nt erp ers on al sk il ls ; (4 ) ho m e li vi ng ; an d (5 ) se lf- di rect io n. Ad di ti on al ly, th ere wer e n o fo rm al be ha vi or as se ss m en ts pe rfo rm edon Tho m as on or abo utth e d at e o f th e cap it al off en se . Rel y in g o n t he tes ts , reco rd s, an d t es ti m on y fro m th e h eari ng , th e d is tri ctco urt

Dr. Salekin stated that the APA did not require the use of standardized, adaptive- behavior 3 assessment instruments prio r t o Thomas’s eighteenth birthday
. She also testified that in 2002, it beca me a diagnostic require ment to test for adaptive functioning. Dr. Salekin commented that, in her opinion, adaptive functioning “is more important than g etting your I Q score .” [R
. 124 Vol. I at 58.] 12fo un d tha t Th om as cu rren tl y su ffer s s ub st an ti al li m it at io ns inat l eas t two ad ap ti ve be ha vi or al sk il l ar eas : (1 ) so ci al an d i nt erp ers on al sk il ls ; an d (2 ) se lf- di rect io n. 4 Inpre parat io n fo r th e ev id en ti ary he ari ng , Dr. Sale ki n s umm ari zedth e dysfu nc ti on al an d p oo r en vi ro nm en t i n wh ic h Th om as li ve d dur in g m os t o f hi s de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od . Dr. Sale ki n re fere nc edth e Dep art m en t o f Pen si on s an d Secu rit ie s (“ DPS”) r eco rd s t ha t wer e rep le te with i nf orm at io n i nd ic at in g t ha t so ci al servi ces ha d re pe at ed ly deem edTho m as ’s par en ts un fit . Whe n Th om as was li vi ng in th e h om e wit h h is pa ren ts , he was ex po se d t o h is fathe r’s al co ho li sm , hi s fathe r’s cri m in al act iv it y , andhi s fa th er’s d om es ti c v io le nc e to wardhi s m ot he r. The DPS rec or ds als o c on ta in edin fo rm at io n tha t o n n um ero us oc cas io ns , Tho m as ’s fam il y

di d n otha ve ad equa te foo d, cl othi ng , andsh el te r, an d Th om as ’s
m ot he r di d n otacce ss ap pr op ria te m ed ic al servi ces for th e car e an d t reat m en t o f he r ch il dr en . In h er re po rt, Dr. Sa le ki n n ot edth atm ul ti pl e in fo rm an ts st at edth at Tho m as was h eav il y

in flu en cedby his fathe r who tau gh t h im to st eal an d t o en ga ge in ot he r il le ga l ac ti vi ti es . [R. Dr. Sale ki n R ep ort, Ex h. 1 10 at 1 9- 20 .]

The district court noted that the State did not dispute Thomas’s asser tion that he had proven 4 that he prese ntly has signific ant defic its in adaptive functioning
. Ac cording ly , the district court deter mined that the State had abandone d any such challeng e. Howeve r, in an abundanc e of caution, the district court considere d the evidenc e of rec ord in light of the leg al and diagnostic standards and conclude d that Thomas did prese ntly show signific ant defic its in adaptive functioning in at least two are as: social/interper sonal skills and self-dire ction. [R
. 130 at 122–25.] The State does not challeng e this finding on appe al. 13Eve n Dr. M ars on reco rd edth atTho m as ’s fathe r to okhi m to bars an d t au gh t h im ho w to st rip cars an d ro b h ou se s. [R. Dr. Ma rs on Rep ort, Ex h. 1 11 -1 at 4 –5 .] The DPS rec or ds als o i nd ic at edth atTho m as res id edwith h is fam il y fro m bi rth un ti l the ag e o f twe lv e, whe n t he DPS rem ov edhi m fro m th e h om e an d pl acedhi m

in DPS p ro te ct iv e cu st od y as ares ul t o f hi s arres t fo r ars on . The DPS pl acedhi m

in th ree d iff

eren t fo st er h om es . Tho m as li ve d app ro xi m at el y on e y ear ateach of t he fir sttwo fos te r ho m es . The thi rdfos te r ho m e, th e farm of M r. an d Mrs . W ayne Rid ge way , was the m os t s uc ces sf ul pl acement f

orTho m as . Tho m as res id edth ere wi th ot he r sp eci al ne ed s ch il dr enof l ow co gn it iv e ab il it y . Tho m as ha d d ai ly cho res on th e farm , andhe lea rn edto dri ve a tr act or . Duri ng th is ti m e, Tho m as pl ay edba se ba ll , di d n otus e il le ga l dru gs , di d n otge t i nt o t ro ub le in
sc ho ol , andatt en de d c hu rch . His p la cem en t wi th th e Ri dg eways end edwhenhe tu rn edeig ht een . [R. Dr. Sale ki n R ep ort, Ex h. 1 10 at 2 0– 21 .] Dr. Sal ek in als o n ot edinhe r rep ort tha t Th om as ’s ol de r br ot he r op in edth at Tho m as co ul d n otha ve m an ag edm on ey or m ai nt ai ne d aho us eh ol d. On e o f Tho m as ’s fos te r pa ren t’s d au gh te r in fo rm edDr. Sale ki n t ha t, b as edon he r in te ract io n wi th Tho m as , he was no t capabl e o f ta ki ng care of a ll th e th in gs ne ces sa ry to li ve in de pe nd en tl y . Davi d S ei be rt, Th om as ’s sp eci al educ at io n te ach er, s ta te d t ha t Th om as wou ldhave a di ffi cu ltti m e fu nc ti on in g i nd ep en de nt ly 14in a co m

m un it y set ti ng be cau se itwou ldbe ha rdforTho m as to ke ep up with bu dg et in g h is m on ey

an d p ay in g h is bi ll s. [Id
. at 2 5– 26 .] Dr. Mars on rep orte d th atTho m as ha d l im it edsk il ls inde al in g wi thfin an ces an d m on ey . Tho m as di d
no t kno w ho w to ke ep anaccu rat e rec or d o f fu nd s, h e n ev er l earn edho w to us e a m on ey ord er, an d h e n ev er h adan y bi ll s t o p ay . Duri ng th e in te rv ie w, Tho m as ha d si gn ifi can t d iff

ic ul ty calcu la ti ng si m

pl e m ath c om

pu ta ti on s. [R. Dr. Mars on Rep ort, Ex h. 1 11 -1 at 1 2.] Thre e p ers on s wh o h adex te ns iv e co nt actwith Th om as pri orto ag e ei gh te en te st ifi edat t he ev id en ti ary he ari ng . W ay ne Rid ge way , who se pa ren ts serve d a s Tho m as ’s fos te r pa ren ts for sev eral y ears , tes ti fie d t ha t h e sa w Tho m as ev ery da y whi le Tho m as li ve d o n t he farm . He st at edth atTho m as di d n otha ve gi rlf rie nd s an d d idno t s oc ia li ze an d d o t hi ng s t ha t o th er b oys hi s ag e d id . W ayne co m m en te d th athe co ul d n otlea ve Tho m as un supe rv is edwhi le pe rfo rm in g atas k, an d h e h ad to gi ve Tho m as di rect io ns “ ov er an d o ve r.” [R. 1 24 Vol . I at 2 25 –2 48 .] He tau gh t Tho m as ho w to dri ve a tr act or , bu t Th om as was the sl owe stof t he 40 or m or e fo st er ch il dr enhe tau gh t t o d riv e a tract or . He op in edth atTho m as co ul d n otha ve li ve d i nd ep en de nt ly. Dav idSei be rt, Th om as ’s sp eci al educ at io n t each er i n h ig h s ch oo l, s ta te d th atTho m as wou ldno t h av e b een ab le to fun ct io n wel l i n ano rm al cla ss ro om , and 15Tho m as requi redm uc h re pe ti ti on in ord er t o fo ll ow i ns tru ct io ns . [R. 12 4 Vo l. I at 26 3– 28 8.] Caro le Ru ss el l, Th om as ’s cas e worke r fro m ag e twe lv e u nt il eig ht een , te st ifi edth atTho m as was v ery imm atur e, an d h is m an ne ris m s wer e ch il dl ik e. Sh e th ou gh t h e was ve ry

far b eh in d b ot h s oc ia ll y

an d e du cat io na ll y , andhe ha d apo or ab il it y to fol lo w in st ru ct io ns . She als o n ot edth atTho m as no t o nl y lac ke d t he
m atur it y of c hi ld renhi s s am e ag e, bu t h e lo ok edli ke a ch il d m uc h young er i n a ge . [R. 1 24 Vol I at28 9- 12 5 Vo l. II a t 2 6.] B. Ana lysis The di stric t co urt fo un d t ha t Th om as sh owe d, b y a pr ep on de ran ce o f th e ev id en ce, tha t h e su ffer s fr om si gn ifi can t l im it at io ns in in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g th atori gi na te d b efo re the ag e o f ei gh te eny ears , were p res en t o n t he da te of t he of fen se of c on vi ct io n, an d c on ti nu e to th e p res en t d ay . The d is tri ctco urt fu rth er fo un d tha t Th om as sh owe d, b y a pr ep on de ran ce o f th e ev id en ce, tha t h is ad ap ti ve fu nc ti on in g abi li ti es ha ve be ensubs ta nt ia ll y im pa ire d t hr ou gh ou t h is li fe, in cl ud in g t he de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od , th e ti m e su rro un di ng th e o ffen se of
co nv ic ti on , andth e p res en t. As s uc h, the di st ric t co urt fo un d tha t Th om as is
m en ta ll y ret ard edan d i s i ne li gi bl e fo r ex ecu ti onbe cau se th e im po si ti on of the de ath p en al ty w ou ldvi ol at e th e Eig hth Am en dm en t’s p ro hi bi ti on ag ai ns t cr ue l an d
un us ua l p un is hm en t. Onap pe al , th e St at e ch al le ng es th e d is tri ctco urt’s fi nd in gs 16th atTho m as sh owe d l im it edin te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g a ndli m it edad ap ti ve

fu nc ti on in g dur in g t he de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od . The St at e p ro ffer s s ev eral sp eci fic ch al le ng es . 1. In te ll ect ua l As sess men t a. Fai lu re t o fo ll ow t he IQ sco re o f 70 The Sta te co nt en ds th atth e d is tri ctco urt co m m it te d c le ar erro r whe n i t d id
no t ad he re t o Al ab am a p rece de ntho ld in g tha t an IQ sco re o f 70 is th e cu to ff fo r si gn ifi can tl y

suba ve rag e in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g. Se e, e.g . , Smi th , __ _ S o. 2 d _

__ , 20 07 W L 15 19 86 9, at*8 ; Ex pa rt e Perki ns , 85 1 S o. 2 d a t 4 56 . The St at e arg ue s th atha d t he di st ric t co urt p ro pe rly fol lo wedAlab am a p rece de nt , itwou ldha ve fo un d tha t Th om as di d n otha ve suba ve rag e in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g dur in g t he de ve lo pm en ta l p eri odbe cau se he ha d a n IQ s co re o f 77 when he was e ig ht een y ears ol d. Ad di ti on al ly, insupp ort o f it s as se rti on , th e St at e ref eren ces Tho m as ’s in crea se d s co rin g o ve r th e co ur se of h is de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od
. Co nt rary to t he Sta te ’s con te nt io n, the re i s n o Al ab am a p rece de ntst at in g th atwhen a cap it al off

en de r ha s n um ero us IQ tes t s co res du rin g t he de ve lo pm en ta l pe rio d, an d o ne of t ho se IQ sco res is ov er 7 0, the n the co urt ca nn otfin d t he of fen de r m en ta ll y

ret ard ed . The d is tri ctco urt co ns id eredall of Th om as ’s IQ
sc or es fro m

th e d ev el op m en ta l p eri od— 5 6 a t ag e n in e, 68 at a ge th irt een , 64 at 17ag e fo urte en , and77 at a ge eig ht een (sh ortl y aft er the en d o f th e d ev el op m en ta l pe rio d) , andco nc lu de d t ha t Th om as ha d p ro ve n, b y a pr ep on de ran ce o f th e ev id en ce, tha t h e su ffer edsuba ve rag e in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g dur in g h is de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od . Becau se on e o r m or e o f th es e raw s co res , exc lu di ng th e po st -ei gh te enag e sc or e, cl earl y in di cat e m en ta l re ta rd at io n, an d t he m ean of t he se th ree s co res fel l b el ow t he 70 sco re cu to ff, th e d is tri ctco urt d idno t cl earl y err i n it s fi nd in g. Th ere i s n o Al ab am a cas e la w st at in g t ha t a s in gl e, or ev enm ul ti pl e, raw IQ s co re ab ov e 7 0 aut om at ic al ly defea ts an Atki ns cla im when th e to ta li ty of th e ev id en ce (s co res ) in di cat es th ata cap it al off en de r su ffer s s ub av erag e in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g. b. Fa il ur e to co ns id er the IQ sco re o f 77 The Sta te arg ue s t ha t the di st ric t co urt’s d eci si onno t t o c on si de r Tho m as ’s hi gh es t IQ ra w sco re o f 77 is cle arl y erro ne ou s. Th e St at e co nt en ds th atth is sco re was anaccu rat e in di cat io n o f Tho m as ’s up wardtre ndin in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g. The arg um en t i s n otco m

pe ll in g. Ev enco ns id eri ng th e IQ raw s co re o f 77 , tak en aft er the term in at io n o f Tho m as ’s dev el op m en ta l p eri od , th e m ean of Th om as ’s IQ
sc or es du rin g t he de ve lo pm en ta l p eri odis su ffi ci en tl y be lo w 70
. Se e Hol la da

y , 55 5 F .3dat 1 35 7– 58 (di st ric t co urt fo un d s ig ni fic an t l im it at io ns in in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g b as edon m

ul ti pl e IQ sc or es , th e m ean of wh ic h was be lo w 70 ). Thu s,

18th e d is tri ctco urt d idno t err be cau se , eve n c on si de rin g t hi s h ig h s co re, Tho m as

st il l s ho wed , by a p rep on de ran ce o f th e ev id en ce, tha t h e h adsi gn ifi can t suba ve rag e in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g dur in g t he de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od
. c. App li cat io n o f Fl ynn effe ct The Sta te tak es is su e wit h t he di st ric t co urt’s em pl oym en t o f th e Fl ynn effe ct . The que st io n i s n otwhet he r th e d is tri ctco urt’s ap pl ic at io n o f th e Fl ynn effe ctto lo wer Tho m as ’s IQ sco res was m an da to ry , bu t wh ethe r th e d is tri ctco urt’s ap pl ic at io n o f itinth is cas e was cle arl y erro ne ou s. We cann otsay tha t i t was . At the he ari ng , all th e ex pe rts ackno wled ge d t ha t the Flynneffe ctis a st at is ti cal ly—pro ve n p he no m en on , alt ho ug h n o m ed ic al ass oc ia ti onreco gn iz es it s va li di ty. Num ero us co urts reco gn iz e th e Fl ynn effe ct . Se e e.g . , W alker v. Tru e , 39 9 F .3d31 5, 3 22 –2 3 (4 th Cir . 20 05 ) (s ta ti ng th aton rem an d, the di st ric t co urt sh ou ldco ns id er the Flynneffe ctev id en ce t o d et erm in e if pe ti ti on er’s IQ s co re i s ov ers ta te d) ; Uni te d Sta tes v. Da vis , 61 1 F . Sup p. 2 d 4 72 , 48 6– 88 (D. Md . 20 09 ) (d is tri ctco urt co ns id eredFlynneffe ctin ev al ua ti on of d efen da nt ’s in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g) ; Peo

pl e v. S up er io r C ou rt , 28 Cal . Rpt r. 3d52 9, 5 58 –5 9 (C al . Ct. App . 20 05 ), ov erru le d o n o th er gr ou nd s b y 15 5 P .3d25 9 (C al . 20 07 ) (rec og ni zi ng th atFlynneffe ctm

us t b e co ns id ered ); St at e v. Burke , No. 0 4AP -1 23 4, 2 00 5 WL 35 57 64 1, at*1 3 (Oh io Ct. Ap p. Dec . 30 , 20 05 ) (s ta ti ng th atco urt m us t co ns id er 19ev id en ce o n F lynneffe ct , bu t i t i s wi th in co urt’s d is cret io n wh ethe r to in cl ud e itas

a fac to r in th e IQ sc or e). The re ar e al so co urts th atdo no t re co gn iz e th e Fl ynn effe ct . Se e In re Ma th is , 48 3 F .3d39 5, 3 98 n.1 (5t h C ir. 2 00 7) (no ti ng th atcir cu it ha s n otreco gn iz edFlynneffe ctas s ci en ti fic al ly val id ); Berr y v. Epp s , No. 1: 04 CV3 28 -D-D, 20 06 W L 28 65 06 4, at*3 5 (N.D. Mi ss . Oct. 5 , 20 06 ) (ref us in g t o co ns id er Fl ynn effe ct ); Bow li ng v. Co mmon wea lth , 16 3 S .W .3d36 1, 3 74 –7 5 (Ky. 20 05 ) (n ot in g t ha t b ecau se Kentuc ky sta tu te un am bi gu ou sl y set s IQ s co re o f 70 as cu to ff, co urts can no t co ns id er Fl ynn effec t o r SEM). Be cau se th ere i s n o u ni fo rm co ns en su s re ga rd in g t he ap pl ic at io n o f th e Fl ynn effe ctin de te rm in in g acap it al of fen de r’s in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g, an d t he re i s n o Al ab am a p rece de ntsp eci fic al ly di sc ou nt in g aco urt’s ap pl ic at io n o f th e Fl ynn effe ct , we can no t s ay th atth e d is tri ct co urt cl earl y

erre d i n app lying it . The d is tri ctco urt co ns id eredth e Fl ynn effe ct jus t as itco ns id eredth e o th er ev id en ce i n t he reco rdpre se nt edby the pa rti es reg ard in g Th om as ’s in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g. Mo reo ve r, ev enwitho utap pl ic at io n of th e Fl ynn effe ct , Tho m as ha s s ti ll sh ownby a prep on de ran ce o f th e ev id en ce th athe ha s s ig ni fic an tl y

suba ve rag e in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g. Hen ce, we are no t le ft wi th a de fin it e an d fi rm co nv ic ti on th atth e d is tri ctco urt erredin it s fi nd in g. d. Ap pl ic at io n o f SEM

20The Sta te als o a rg ue s t ha t the di st ric t co urt’s u ti li zat io n o f th e SEM was

cl earl y erro ne ou s b ecau se th e co urt d idno t co ns id er i t as a pl us or m in us fiv e p oi nt
ran ge in di cat in g aco nf

id en ce l ev el in th e IQ sc or es ; i ns te ad , th e d is tri ctco urt u se d itas afiv e p oi ntdo wnwar d a dju st m en t i n Th om as ’s IQ sco res . Evenif t he di st ric t co urt i m pr op erl y em pl oyed the SEM, itdi d n otcle arl y err i n i ts ap pl ic at io n. Fi rs t, th e p art ie s s ti pu la te d a t the he ari ng th atth e SEM was pl us or m in us fiv e p oi nt s. Seco nd , Alab am a co urts ha ve ad op te d t he “ m os t l ib eral de fin it io n o f m en ta l ret ard at io n e m

pl oyed b y th os e st at es th atba r th e ex ecu ti on of t he m en ta ll y ret ard ed ,” Bur

gess v. St at e , 96 2 S o. 2 d 2 72 , 29 9 (Al a. Cri m . App . 20 05 ), an d Alab am a co urts ha ve ackno wled ge d t he ap pl ic at io n o f th e SEM. Se e Byrd v
. St at e , __ _ S o. 3 d _

__ , No. CR- 07 -0 11 3, 2 00 9 WL 11 64 98 5, at*3 (Ala . Cri m . App . May 1, 2 00 9) (no ti ng th atth e p sycho lo gi sttes ti fie d tha t the re i s a 9 5%
co nf id en ce i nt erv al reg ard in g t he cap it al off en de r’s IQ sc or es ). Thi rd , th e d is tri ct co urt ad jus te d Th om as ’s sco res do wnwar d b as edon it s fi nd in g t ha t Th om as ha d si gn ifi can t d efi ci ts in ad ap ti ve be ha vi or . Fou rth , inth is cas e, fi ve of t he eig htraw IQ sc or es forTho m as were b el ow 7 0, an d the di st ric t co urt ad jus te d h is sco res do wnwar d b as edon th e p rep on de ran ce o f th e ev id en ce tha t i nd ic at edth atth e hi gh er IQ s co res m ay

ha ve be enov ers ta te d. Las tl y , eve n i f th e d is tri ctco urt im pr op erl y ap pl ie d t he SEM, Tho m as ’s to ta l m ean raw IQ sc or e was be lo w 70 , th e 21cu to ff fo r in te ll ectua l fu nc ti on in g a s s ta te d b y Alab am a cas e la w. In s um , th e di st ric t co urt ex erci se d i ts di sc ret io n t o c on si de r th e SEM, as itdi d wi th th e Fl ynn effe ct , andwe can no t s ay th atth is was c le ar erro r. 2. Ada pt iv e Beh av io r The Sta te tak es is su e wit h t he di st ric t co urt’s fi nd in g tha t Th om as sh owe d, by a prep on de ran ce o f th e ev id en ce, tha t h e h adsi gn ifi can t d efi ci ts inad ap ti ve fu nc ti on in g b efo re h is eig ht een th bi rth da y . The d is tri ctco urt re li edup on reco rd s m ai nt ai ne d b y

publ ic sch oo ls , DPS so ci al work er re co rd s, the reco ll ect io ns of pe rs on s wh o wer e acqua in te d wi th Tho m as du rin g h is y ou th , th e te st im on y of
ex pe rts at t he ev id en ti ary he ari ng , andth e rep orts of e xp ert s t o c on cl ud e th at Tho m as ha d p ro no un cedde fic it s i n fi ve area s: fun ct io na l ac ad em ic s, wo rk , so ci al /i nt erp ers on al sk il ls , ho m e li vi ng , andsel f-d ire ct io n. Th e rec or d s up po rts th e d is tri ctco urt’s fi nd in gs , andth e St at e can no t s ho w th atth e d is tri ctco urt cl earl y erre d i n i ts de te rm in at io n re ga rd in g Th om as ’s adapt iv e b eh av io r du rin g t he de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od
. Dav idSie be rt, Th om as ’s hi gh sch oo l s pe ci al educ at io n t each er, t es ti fie d t ha t Tho m as was d efi ni te ly m en ta ll y ret ard ed , th athe co ul d n otfol lo w com pl ic at ed di rect io ns , andth athe requi redrep et it io n b efo re h e ret ai ne d i nf orm at io n. Drs . Sal ek in an d M ars on tes ti fie d tha t Th om as co ul d n otha ve su rv iv edin a reg ul ar 22cl as sr oo m . Mor eo ve r, Tho m as ’s IQ sco res du rin g h is de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od

pl acedhi m

in th e m il dl y

m en ta ll y ret ard edran ge . Eventh e St at e’s ex pe rt, Dr. McC la ren , st at edth atall of Th om as ’s IQ sco res pri or to ag e ei gh te enare co ns is te ntwith m en ta l re tard at io n. [R . 12 5 Vo l. II a t 2 38 .] There is no cle ar erro r in th e d is tri ctco urt’s fi nd in g t ha t Th om as ha d apro no un cedde fic itin fun ct io na l acad em ic s dur in g h is de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od
. Inch al le ng in g t he di stric t co urt’s fi nd in g t ha t Th om as ha d p ro no un ced de fic it s i n t he workarea , th e St at e co nt en ds th atTho m as work edat afarm pe rfo rm in g m anua l l ab oran d d riv in g atra ct oran d t ha t Th om as he ldsev eral ot he r m en ia l jo bs . Howev er, the ex pe rts tes ti fie d tha t the se sk il ls are co ns is te ntwith in di vi du al s wi thm il d m en ta l re ta rd at io n. Ev enth e St at e’s ex pe rt, Dr. M cCl aren , st at edth atm en ta ll y

ret ard edpe rs on s ca n d riv e car s an d h ol d m en ia l jo bs . Thu s, th e d is tri ctco urt’s fi nd in g re gard in g Th om as ’s workde fic itis no t cl earl y erro ne ou s. The Sta te cla im s tha t Th om as ’s abi li ty to m an ip ul at e p eo pl e sh ows th athe di d n otha ve subs tant ia l l im it s i n h is so ci al /i nt erp ers on al sk il ls . The St at e rel ie s he av il y up on th e te st im on y

of DPS so ci al work er Ca ro le Ru ss el l, wh o re fere nc ed
anin ci de ntwhen Tho m as , inth e p res en ce o f hi s fo st er m ot he r, to ldth em he di d
no t wan t t o h av e co nt actwith h is bi ol og ic al m ot he r, bu t wh enhe was a lo ne with 23th e cas e worke r, to ldhe r th athe di d. Th e St at e al so rel ie s upo n t he tes ti m on y of Tho m as ’s tea ch er wh o s ta te d t ha t Th om as see m edto ge t al on g wel l wi th hi s fel lo w cla ss m at es an d t he reco rdev id en ce tha t Th om as pl ay edba se ba ll an d s po ke of en li st in g i n t he Navy. The reco rdin di cat es to th e co ntrary. W ayne Rid ge way tes ti fie d tha t Tho m as di d n otha ve gi rlf rie nd s an d d idno t d o t hi ng s o th er b oys hi s ag e d id
. Caro le Ru ss el l al so st at edth atTho m as was i m m atur e an d s oc ia ll y

be hi ndhi s pe ers . Thu s, co ntrary to t he Sta te ’s ass ert io n, we ar e n otlef t wi th th e d efi ni te an d firm co nv ic ti on th atth e d is tri ctco urt erredin fin di ng th atTho m as su ffer ed
subs ta nt ia l l im it at io ns in hi s s oc ia l an d i nt erp ers on al sk il ls du rin g h is de ve lo pm en ta l p eri od
. The Sta te co nt en ds th atth e d is tri ctco urt al so cle arl y erre d i n fi nd in g t ha t Tho m as ha d l im it at io ns inhi s ab il it y to li ve by him se lf andfun ct io n in de pe nd en tl y . Agai n, the reco rdis to th e co nt rary. Dr. Mars on tes ti fie d t ha t Tho m as alwa y s n eed edanadul t t o a ss is t h im with h is ne ed s. Mo reo ve r, se ve ral witne ss es tes ti fie d t ha t Th om as co ul d n ei th er l iv e in de pe nd en tl y no r hand le fin an ces . The St at e’s at te m ptto ch al le ng e th e d is tri ctco urt’s fi nd in g re ga rd in g Tho m as ’s li m it at io ns in sel f-d ire ct io n a ls o fa il s. Th e rec or d i nd ic at es th atTho m as was im m atur e b ot h s oc ia ll y

an d m en ta ll y , th athe requi redlo ts of r ep et it io n i n

24or de r to fol lo w in stru ct io ns , andth athe co ul d n otli ve in de pe nd en tl y . The St at e

can no t s ho w th atth e d is tri ctco urt’s fi nd in g tha t Th om as su ffer edsubs tant ia l li m it at io ns insel f-d ire ct io n i s cl earl y erro ne ou s. V. CONCLUSIO N The di stric t co urt co nduc te d aco m pr eh en si ve ex am in at io n o f th e rec or d
ev id en ce an d a ss es se d t he cred ib il it y of the expe rts an d a cqua in ta nc es who te st ifi edat t he Atki ns ev id en ti ary he ari ng . The d is tri ctco urt wro te a ve ry len gt hy, de ta il edop in io n fi nd in g t ha t Th om as ha d s ho wn b y a pr ep on de ran ce o f th e ev id en ce tha t h e is m en ta ll y ret ard edan d i ne li gi bl e fo r ex ecu ti on . Havi ng co nduc te d ath or ou gh rev ie w of t he reco rd , we can no t s ay th atth e d is tri ctco urt’s fin di ng is cle arl y

erro ne ou s. Acco rd in gl y , we affi rm th e d is tri ctco urt’s g ran t o f
se nt en ci ng ph as e h ab eas rel ie f to Tho m as . AFFIRMED
.

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