SCOTUS Agrees to Review Death Penalty Cases Involving Questions of Race, Mental Disability

On Monday, the Supreme Court announced its decision to review two death penalty cases in Texas. In the case of Bobby James Moore, at issue is whether someone on death row can prove they are mentally disabled. In Duane Buck’s case, the defendant argues that his sentencing was due to his race. The justices will also consider whether it is cruel and unusual for prisoners to spend years in solitary confinement prior to being placed on death row.

Some groups are applauding SCOTUS’s decision to review these cases, arguing this latter situation violates the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment. 

Reaction to today's #SCOTUS grant in Moore (and Buck) re death penalty issues from @ElizabethWydra pic.twitter.com/ezO0sW6c2U

— CAC (@MyConstitution) June 6, 2016

SCOTUS will begin hearings on these two cases come October.