The Arc is Pleased With Supreme Court's Ruling in John Paul Penry Death Penalty Case

ARC of the United States
Monday, 4 June 2001

Washington, D.C. - The Arc of the United States, the nation's leading advocacy association for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and families, announced today that the organization is "delighted" with the Supreme Court's ruling on the death penalty case of convicted murderer John Paul Penry in Texas.

President of The Arc Karen Staley said today:

"We are pleased at the Supreme Court's ruling that Mr. Penry's jury was not properly instructed on his mental retardation in deciding his case. Today's ruling will allow Mr. Penry the chance at justice to which he is entitled. We're delighted that similar cases in the future may benefit from the Court's ruling.

The Arc has adopted a Position Statement that holds 'the presence of mental retardation by definition raises so many possibilities of miscommunication, misinformation, and an inadequate defense that the imposition of the death penalty is unacceptable.'

The Arc believes that people with mental retardation convicted of crimes should be punished for those crimes. However, the death penalty is clearly not a fair sentence for our constituents."

For more information, or to contact ARC of the United States, see their website at: www.thearc.org