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JUNE 18, 2001

Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) on Sunday vetoed a bill that would have exempted mentally retarded convicts from being executed.

Federal executions already have such an exemption as do 15 states. But Perry said juries in Texas should be able to decide on a case-by-case basis.

The Supreme Court in 1989 ruled that executing mentally retarded convicts is not unconstitutional. But in hearing the appeal of the same man -- Johnny Paul Penry -- the Court earlier this month overturned his death sentence.

The court will be also considering the general question of mental handicap in an upcoming case.

Get the Story:
Tex. Ban on Executing Retarded is Rejected (The Washington Post 6/18)
Ban on Execution of the Retarded Is Vetoed in Texas (The New York Times 6/18)
Death Penalty Falls From Favor as Some Lose Confidence in Its Fairness (The New York Times 6/18)
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