News & Commentary about Mental Illness and the Death Penalty

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The ACLU works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.

Feb 2, 2021

Atrocities of the Federal Death Penalty

Protestors holding a banner with the text "Don't kill for me...Stop executions."
Atrocities of the Federal Death Penalty

Feb 27, 2020

“Do Not Kill in My Name” – How Colorado Finally Repealed the Death Penalty

Protestors holding a banner that reads "Stop the Death Penalty" in front on Georgia's State Capital on a sunny day in 2017. Colorado just won a major feat for anti-death penalty movement with its decision to repeal the death penalty in the state.
“Do Not Kill in My Name” – How Colorado Finally Repealed the Death Penalty

Dec 13, 2019

The Death Penalty in 2019: A Year of Incredible Progress, Marred by Unconscionable Executions

ACLU issue areas
The Death Penalty in 2019: A Year of Incredible Progress, Marred by Unconscionable Executions

Apr 27, 2018

Prosecutors Hid Evidence of Corey Williams’ Innocence in Pursuit of a Death Sentence

Food channel of a prison cell
Prosecutors Hid Evidence of Corey Williams’ Innocence in Pursuit of a Death Sentence

Oct 23, 2017

Jack Greene Has Profound Mental Illness, but Arkansas Wants to Execute Him Anyway

Execution Bed
Jack Greene Has Profound Mental Illness, but Arkansas Wants to Execute Him Anyway

Apr 25, 2016

Texas Courts Rely on 'Of Mice and Men' to Define Intellectual Disability and Sentence People to Death

Bobby James Moore
Texas Courts Rely on 'Of Mice and Men' to Define Intellectual Disability and Sentence People to Death

Nov 2, 2015

If Nothing Happens Between Now and Tonight, Missouri Will Execute an Intellectually Disabled Man

Electric chair
If Nothing Happens Between Now and Tonight, Missouri Will Execute an Intellectually Disabled Man

Nov 14, 2014

Texas Wants to Kill This Mentally Ill Man

Scott Panetti
Texas Wants to Kill This Mentally Ill Man

Aug 13, 2014

An Innocent Man Is Dying of Cancer on Texas's Death Row

An Innocent Man Is Dying of Cancer on Texas's Death Row

Jul 31, 2013

Florida Will Kill Severely Mentally Ill Man Unless Supreme Court Intervenes

Mass Incarceration
Florida Will Kill Severely Mentally Ill Man Unless Supreme Court Intervenes