Supreme Court dismisses Alabama execution appeal

The United States — Supreme Court of the United States>>> dismissed United States — Alabama>>>'s appeal to execute Joseph Clifton Smith>>>, a convicted murderer found by lower courts to be intellectually disabled. This unusual action leaves in place the lower court rulings that prevent Smith's execution. The case centered on how courts should handle individuals with multiple IQ scores slightly above 70, a widely accepted marker for intellectual disability, and how much weight to give additional evidence of disability. Smith's IQ scores ranged from 72 to 78, and he had a history of learning disabilities. The majority to dismiss the case included liberal justices and Justices Brett Kavanaugh>>> and Amy Coney Barrett>>>. Four conservative justices, including Clarence Thomas>>> and Samuel Alito>>>, dissented, arguing for a re-examination of the case by the federal appeals court in Atlanta. The decision reinforces the United States — Supreme Court of the United States>>>'s 2002 ruling prohibiting the execution of intellectually disabled people.