Ketanji Brown Jackson Grills Texas Over Death Row Inmate’s Disability
Summary
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson questioned Texas during arguments over whether death row inmate Dexter Johnson may pursue a federal claim of intellectual disability. The case concerns whether changes in medical standards can let a prisoner file a second or successive habeas petition, a type of court challenge to a conviction or sentence.Key Facts
- Johnson argues that changes in medical standards allow him to establish an intellectual disability claim.
- The Supreme Court has barred the execution of people with intellectual disabilities.
- Texas argues that changes in medical standards do not count as a new constitutional rule that permits a successive federal habeas petition.
- Texas Solicitor General William Peterson said the rules for intellectual disability differ from competency-to-be-executed cases.
- Jackson cited the Supreme Court's decision in Panetti v. Quarterman, which addressed claims whose factual basis emerged after an initial petition.
- The court's question involves disagreement among federal appeals courts about when a constitutional rule was previously unavailable.
- The ruling could determine whether Johnson can challenge his death sentence and affect when other prisoners may file successive federal habeas petitions.
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