Court Opinion

ID: 9719736
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 08:01:55.922152+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:09.630377
License: Public Domain

Justice EAKIN,
concurring.
I concur in the majority opinion, but feel compelled to point out that Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304, 122 S.Ct. 2242, 153 L.Ed.2d 335 (2002), is no longer a “recent” decision. More than three years have passed since it was announced that each state had to set standards and procedures for adjudicating the mental retardation of a defendant in a capital case. Bills have been introduced, but no legislation has been passed to accomplish this. Meanwhile, cases languish and courts await action which has not been forthcoming.
Accordingly, I concur in the need for this Court to establish the necessary standards so that resolution of these cases may be had without further delay. However, this is inherently a legislative matter — it is hoped that the legislature would also act without further delay.