The state of Florida cannot use an IQ test alone in determining whether a mentally disabled person can face the death penalty, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.

When a person's score falls in a range close to 70, the state must look to other factors, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the divided court. The 5-4 vote fell largely among ideological lines.

"Florida seeks to execute a man because he scored a 71 instead of 70 on an IQ test," the decision stated. "Florida is one of just a few states to have this rigid rule."

In addition to Florida, Kentucky and Virginia have adopted a cutoff score of 70, while a handful of other states employ similar standards, the majority opinion noted. Those states will have to reconsider their rules in light of the decision.

The case is Hall v. Florida.

Get the Story:
Lyle Denniston: Opinion analysis: A new limit on the death penalty (SCOTUSBlog 5/27)
High court rules for death-row inmates with low IQ (AP 5/27)
Supreme Court strikes down Florida law on intellectually disabled death row inmates (The Washington Post 5/28)
Court Extends Curbs on the Death Penalty in a Florida Ruling (The New York Times 5/28)

Supreme Court Decision:
Hall v. Florida (May 27, 2014)