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AP file
Marvin Wilson, 54, was executed by the State of Texas on Tuesday night.
A Texas man convicted of killing a police informant was executed Tuesday evening after the Supreme Court refused to hear arguments that he was mentally handicapped and therefore should not qualify for the death penalty, The Associated Press reported.
Marvin Wilson, 54, was pronounced dead at 6:27 p.m., 14 minutes after his lethal injection began at the state prison in Huntsville.
Wilson’s attorneys had challenged his execution as unconstitutional under the 2002 decision Atkins v. Virginia, which banned executing mentally retarded people but gave states some discretion in deciding who qualified for protection.
In their appeal to the high court, his attorneys pointed to a psychological test conducted in 2004 that pegged Wilson's IQ at 61, below the generally accepted minimum competency standard of 70. Federal law bans executions of mentally handicapped people as cruel and unusual punishment.
The defendant was convicted of murder for the November 1992 killing of a 21-year-old police drug informant, Jerry Robert Williams, and was sentenced to death in April 1994.
Lower courts agreed with state attorneys, who argued that Wilson's claim was based on a single test that may have been faulty and that his mental impairment claim isn't supported by other tests and assessments of him over the years.
The Supreme Court denied his request for a stay of execution less than two hours before his lethal injection began. Lead defense attorney Lee Kovarsky said he was "gravely disappointed and saddened" by the ruling, calling it "outrageous that the state of Texas continues to utilize unscientific guidelines ... to determine which citizens with intellectual disability are exempt from execution."
In Wilson's Supreme Court appeal, Kovarsky said Wilson's language and math skills "never progressed beyond an elementary school level," that he reads and writes below a second-grade level and that he was unable to manage his finances, pay bills or hold down a job.
Edward Marshall, a Texas assistant attorney general, said records show Wilson habitually gave less than full effort and "was manipulative and deceitful when it suited his interest," and that the state considered his ability to show personal independence and social responsibility in making its determinations.
"Considering Wilson's drug-dealing, street-gambler, criminal lifestyle since an early age, he was obviously competent at managing money, and not having a 9-to-5 job is no critical failure," Marshall said. "Wilson created schemes using a decoy to screen his thefts, hustled for jobs in the community, and orchestrated the execution of the snitch, demonstrating inventiveness, drive and leadership."
Wilson was the seventh person executed by lethal injection in Texas this year. At least nine other prisoners in the nation's most active death penalty state have execution dates in the coming months, including one later this month.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
So, is this supposed to mean that if you have a low IQ it's OK to go around killing people?
Put the gun away, mathuin. You'll need a better reason than that.
So the cut-off in Texas is an IQ of 60? 50? Is there a cut-off?
He killed someone. The death penalty is appropriate.
Flunking an I.Q. test is easy. Put the square peg in a round hole.
sad
Maybe you should get your IQ tested for reading comprehension.
"Wilson habitually gave less than full effort and "was manipulative and deceitful when it suited his interest,"
Any one can get a low IQ score if they try.
I don't see how you have to be able to do math at a high level or read well to know the difference between right and wrong and be responsible. These are not indicators of intelligence, but rather of achieved learning. There are LOTS of illiterate people out there who are very very smart and know full well what they are doing.
He was able to function in the street life for more than 30 years. Yep, he was fully aware of what he was doing. Good riddance.
He was competent enough to pull the trigger.
Bye bye...
All of these arguments about IQ ---- high or low ------ are so base ! We live in the 21st Century ----- Hell, the USA joins China, many of the Arabic speaking countries ( monarchies, dictatorships, and democracies ), and a few other countries that still impose the DEATH PENALTY !
Does it not say something about us that we and the Iranian's, and the Syrians, and the Saudis, and the Afghans, and the Chinese all EXECUTE PEOPLE while the rest of the world does not!
I guess that make us barbarians........nothing better than the regimes that we oppose! Hypocrits we are to the core!!!!!
State sanctioned murder ---- nothing more!
Well if you have a low IQ you can become a Senator or a Congressman.
Well?.....I guess he didn't argue hard enough or maybe he should have tried a little harder to get onto the debate team?
NEXT?..................
Glad to hear that Texas isn't letting bleeding heart moonbats stand in the way of justice.
Hey Mark,
You are the bleading heart type of person that has our country all messed up. Maybe you would feel different if he had killed one of your family members? Are you a Vegan too?? You should send me enough money to cover my months food bill and I will try vegan also--or else I have to go hunting.
Mentally retaded my a$$. Another dirt bag put out of our misery, plain and simple. Tax payer money saved.
They should ban lethal injection and bring back the gallows..
I'm not for the death penalty, unless there was an eye witness that knew the murderer or actively caught the murderer. The only reason is that far too many people get put to death for something they didn't do. Its a terrible thing, even if they are bad people, because then the real murderer is still out there. It's a really bad thing if someone was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I also think that (unless ther is no family) only the family has the right to demand the death penalty and not the government. In which case they should be allowed to push the button/pull the trigger on the guy.
Good for Texas, the last state with the balls to actually USE the death penalty! Hey, I hate seeing anyone put to death, except for someone who is a cold blooded killer!! You forfeited your life, now pay the penalty! Stop all the years of litigations, that's what costs money, not the needle! Wish California would do this with all the killers in prison, especially the gangstas!
What was his 'criminal' IQ? That is the most important question here.
Two points lower and they'd have made him governor...
Catch 22: If you argue that you are mentally handicapped to avoid execution, you can't be mentally handicapped.
He should have known that defense wouldn't work ... another Texan was obviously "Mentally Challenged" and went on to become President ... wait ... he also went on to kill a lot of folk ... maybe there is a defense here!!!!!
Even a 5 year old knows killing is wrong. That defense just doesn't work and it's nice to see a state with the balls to put a murderer to death.
19 Muslim hijackers killed more
innocents in two hours on September 11th than the number of
American criminals executed in the last 65 years
All those involved and all those who judge will be facing their creator eventually. Even you people with wise-guy posts. I can't wait to see when god hands down your verdict. oh by the way, I hear there is no court of appeal when you die. God's word is final. what ye shall reap..................
George ... since we have so many different religions in the world ... which god will we be facing??? Would like to start building my case ..........
Nah, he's probably Christian. That religion makes bleeding hearts out of people b/c "life is saaaaaacred".
Hey george, sounds an awful lot like you're trying to judge others in your near giddy joy of the prospect of people meeting your God. Pretty sure being smug and self-righteous isn't the best way to spread the love of God around.
bonos~ I'm religious yet my heart doesn't bleed for those who murder others. Sorry if that disillusions you.
The world may be a better place without this guy, I don't know, it isn't my place to decide. I hope he took the opportunity to get right with his maker. No matter what I think of him and what he has done he was still a human being that was someone's son and had a family who I have to believe loved him. For those people, the victim and their families I feel sadness for their loss. I for one will say a prayer for the convicted and all of those who have been hurt by this act of violence; this includes those who had the misfortune of having to decide this man's fate, right, wrong or indifferent it had to be a tough decision to make.
This man killed one person and was put to death. Loughner killed six people, shot the congress women in the head, ending her career, and he will get life in prison. Where is the justice in a decision like this. Hmmmm, I wonder why there is such a difference in the punishment.
Hey all you libtard bleeding heart pacifist. Don't think of this as the death penalty.
Think of it as a Super Super Super Super Super Super Duper Late Term Abortion.
One dumbass down, 25 million to go....Awesome Texas, keep it going boys, if yall get a chance, we got a whole bunch of em down here in Oklahoma...
So it's not okay for people with low IQ's to kill people but it's okay for our Govt. to kill people with low IQ's? Doesn't make sense... How can we be so far behind the rest of the world with our criminal justice system over here? Is it because of our BS religious beliefs???
In Texas, if you kill somebody, we'll kill you back. Enough said, people? That's how it is.
What does IQ have to do with it? or insanity? or anything else, the Way it should work is if you kill you will be killed. end of subject. its easy, and it should be inexpensive as well. its a equal rights thing. a nut should have the same right to be terminated as anyone else.
The IQ thing just doesn't get it. Sadly, we have politicians and bureaucrats in Washington, DC who appear to have equal or similar mental faculties, and they are entrusted to run this country. Run it into oblivion, that is. Marvin Wilson had street smarts that allowed him to manipulate others' actions to suit what he wished. Not unlike our people in the Beltway, who manipulate events and attempts at laws into back-biting, partisan politics; to hell with our nation's woes. People on Main Street America are suffering daily, while our leaders who pattern their conduct to appease lobbyists and special interests, according to the monies being pushed under the tables. The majority of the pols are millionaires, using the "noblesse oblige"mindsets being their motives. Sadly, the vast majority don't really believe their "motives". What of substantive nature came out of this session of Congress? A consensus to take five weeks of vacation while leaving searing issues burning on the stove. We, as Americans need to start taking back our country back to the electorate. The quickest and most efficient way would be a grass roots effort to institute TERM LIMITS on ALL public offices. The people elected are not always the best and brightest (or moral) for that matter. Is it a case of lawmakers not wishing to do anything that might make our first African American president seem an effective leader? Don't know, but as we continue the path to becoming a third class country; our middle class is daily eviscerated by uncaring laegislators. Justice may have been served in Texas; but our leaders are still sending our best off to war, to return in body bags, and in reality for no real gains. The Middle East is a tinder box. Syria ready to implode, despite their proxy war for Iran and Russia. And America is still fighting the the mujahadeen and Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we lacked the prescience to consider that the then Soviet Union left Afghanistan with their tails tucked between their legs. The US was supplying the mujahadeen with weaponry. Didn't work then; doesn't work today. No war can be won with fanatics who believe God Or Allah is on their side. VERY soon, America needs to look deep into its heart of hearts, to decide if we wish to remain a superpower, or become the whipping post for other continue to thumb their noses. We have become a nation of lemmings, running off cliffs, because other lemmings do it. Time is working against us; and the (some) traitors need to be brought to justice. Shed a tear, for this once proud nation......... Texas did the right thing. Can America??
davefromdanapointca: You get the award for the most hilarious post of the year! I almost got a hernia from laughing so hard. Thing is, the bleeding hearts are so good at twisting logic they should have no problem with your theory. LOL LOL LOL!!
Equal rights for all. Well, the handicapped wanted it, they got it. Be careful what you ask for, as you just might get it........NEXT!
The way I see it, even with an IQ of 61, he was still smarter than the Governor.
It took Marvin 12 years to become stupid. No matter what you age may be, if you're able to do the crime then you're able to take the punishment. Marvin should have been gone 11+ years ago.
Actually our justice system is decent compared to those of atheist countries in Europe. It's almost impossible to get locked up for life without parole even after committing murder. Talk about BS.
Low IQ High IQ shouldn't make a difference, He was a killer, he deserved what he got!
But was he ever a Congressman? Or Senator? They all seem to have low or no IQ's.
The problem is not with the IQ of our legislators, it is all about their lack of compassion and conscience.
They are all Narcissists, the Sun was made for them and they like it. the rest of you are subservients.
A murderer is dead good riddance time to finally begin executing all of those on death row.
So, CT, what about George W. Bush? He's a murderer because he got our soldiers killed based on lies he told the American people; to wit, Iraq has weapons of mass destruction.
Iraq did have WMD's in the form of chemical weapons he used on the Kurds and Iranians.
And Obama perpetuates those murders, Jean.
Still playing that song? Name one leader that did not believe that Iran had WMD's? Or, Iran moved them to Syria---very likely.
I ain't gonna mention any names, but I see some brown eyes in here !!
"JeanValjean"
A dem congress voted us into those wars.
Hey Jean, must not be too bright or well versed in history either. To Wit, weapons of mass destruction are more than nukes. They include chemical and biological weapons that IRAQ in fact used against the Kurds, Against IRAN during the Iran/Iraq war, what we (being a soldier that served during Desert Shield/Desert Storm) carried M8 paper on our chem suits because of during the liberation of Kuwait, and sweatheart, the same WMD that we (that is the good ole USA) help to provide Iraq with during said Iran Iraq war. Furthermore, should your memory be lacking, why were various bunkers found in Iraq that had sealed chemical suits, masks, and contaminent equipment.
Though I do appreciate your pro Obama, anti Bush rhetoric - it does underscore the sheep mentality of not thinking for yourself, but instead relying on what you are spoonfed to believe.
Johnny,
99% republican and 48% democrat voted FOR the war.
starbuck
It couldn't have happened with out the dems.
So who are all of you voting for this time around? Obamney or Romama? Meet the new boss same as the old boss. The presidency is not what's broken in this country. They are nothing more than a figurehead for their respective parties. The Repuglicans and the Dumbocrats both $uck. All of our elected representatives are self righteous self serving butt heads that are behaving like children fighting in the sand box. We no longer have government of the people by the people and for the people, it's of the politicians by the politicians and for the special interest groups. Somewhere there has to be a person with the charisma and the intestinal fortitude to buck the status quo and put this country back together again. I just hope I live to see it, but as a realist, I think it's a long way off. What a shame.
dems voted for the war because they where foolish enough to think a president would not lie about something so important and deadly. they should be ashamed for being fooled, but bush will hang his head when god strikes the final hour.
Day of judgement, God is calling
On their knees the war pig's crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan laughing spreads his wings
Oh lord yeah!
I am glad 3/4 of us agree on this page. Get r Done!
Hillery voted to do it, and she is their most favorite Dem,
It is done! lets do somemore, do them till we run out of them.
Too bad he was reared instead of raised
In prison, I am sure he was reared !!
Look at it this way, he paid the price on earth so he may be spared paying the price in hell. God does not double on debts. once a debt is paid its paid.
Now what else does he have to pay for.
apparently he was not dumb enough to kill someone.
He manipulated the tests to suit his best interest. Of course he did. Once a con-artist always a con-artist!!!
If he's a dumbass that's even more of a reason to get rid of him.
Right on!
You're next.
Yep, the prison system here in Carolina has 90% blacks with less than grade 5 reading and math levels on average, and the majority of these inmates want to be rappers and drug dealers when they get out. Tell me what's wrong with this picture? As Toby Keith says, "Time to put a few more of them in the ground."
Toby Keith is a violent racist? I didn't know that.
Sad:
Have you listened to RAP music? Talk about being racist...they epitomize it!!!
Hopefully, Carolina Dog, they get people like you first.
"JeanValjean"
They're doing just fine with the ones they have already.
He now has the diminished capacity he claimed.
How long before Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, , Eric holder, and Obama cry racism?
Tomorrow, because Wednesdays are great news days.
....Wonder if he looked like obama's son too?
He's dead so long, we don't have to feed him anymore. I don't think he was going to become self supporting and a community leader if he had lived. I certainly don't think he was going to get out if they hadn't given him the needle.
His IQ was high enough to be a community organizer.
Can't be to high. Obama was a community organizer!
This guy was a con and he was trying to play stupid.
Now he doesn't have to worry about playing dead.
The whole state of Texas could make that argument...
I think my dog just squirted you on a rose bush!! BAD Dog.
Now if only they will start executing some banks...
They were supposed to execute George Banks in Pa., but it took so long he's to crazy to kill now.
Why did it take 20 years to run 1 (one) test on him and get the results just before he was executed? Sounds like the defense screwed up! Still 20 years is a long time to wait to carry out the sentence>
It wasn't the test that took so long, it was the mandatory appeals, that the libs insist upon.
It is the criminal system we are laboring under. We do not have a JUSTICE SYSTEM any more.
Good riddance to a bad guy.
In Texas, if you kill someone, we will kill you back.
Don't you mean:
In Texas, if you kill someone, we will kill you back, retard?
He was on death row 17 years too long.
I was going to say he'd make a good republican candidate but IQ61 is a little too high for that.
Kinda like you huh,
That remark was uncalled for. It was bad, bad, leroy brown.
Yeah he must be referring to Chuck Rangle (D), ex chairman of the house ways and means committee that is responsible for writing our tax laws. The same laws infact that REQUIRE people to claim and disclose ALL SOURCES of income. Too bad he didn't claim all those rental properties he was collecting MILLIONS on over a 10 year period, while he was the CHAIRMAN of that committee.
Maybe He was referring to BIll Clinton (D) who said he never had sex with that woman. Maybe HE wasn't smart enough to realize that BJs, and using Cigars on woman actually constitute sexual contact.
Oh, he must mean the current administration, the chief exec (D) that has more illegal immigrant family here than Arizona has problems with. Most of which have or have had deportation orders for the better part of 10 years or more, while they were collecting social assistance. And hell even an uncle that got popped DUI and here illegally too.
Yeah, I can see why Democrats are so much smarter... Well actually I would say so much more HYPOCRITICAL and Full of Sht.
Will, getting paid well?
@ Will Yet Obama has deported more illegals in 3 years than the DUHbya did in 8. Must have needed his grounds keeping staff longer............
Actor. Don't mess with Texas.
Lol. Texas is a joke of a state. Every time I travel there I feel like I am going into some kind of really bad cowboy movie, or back in time to 1950, where women are expected to stay at home and take care of the kids and make sandwiches. That is how absurd the culture is there (as a point of reference, I'm from California and have family in Texas).
You live in that cesspool called CA and have the nerve to throw stones?
California is more civilized than Texas. In California, we treat women equally, as opposed to housewives who are just meant to stay at home and make sandwiches for the "primary bread winner", most Californians understand that immigrants are people and just because some silly federal law says that immigration has to be done in certain parameters doesn't mean that they are bad people, and we understand that education is a necessity, not a commodity (though we do need some education reform in California). The same can't be said of many other states.
CA is a bankrupt mess, and a haven for illegals, dopers and other crazies, look at how they operate, oh and Pelosi lives there, must be a freak show.
Texas is one of those primitive, backwards states where fathers with teenage daughters pull out a revolver and start polishing it to try and intimidate his daughter's new boyfriend when she brings him home for dinner. That doesn't happen in California (thank god).
That must be why Tx leads the nation in relocations from other states and leading the pack is.....California. You are a total idiot, please stay there.
He killed a guy in 1992, and it takes until 2012 to execute him???? That is pure stupid!!!!! Shows low intelligence on the people that should have had him shot in the courtyard!!!!!
The IQ61 guy is smarter than the authorities??
IQ of 61 ? OMG he has bested Franken, Obama, Sharpton and both Jacksons and he is now dead?
Does that give me hope ?
Perhaps.
leroybrown: do you think he was meaner than a junkyard dog?
No animal is meaner than a human SusieQ.
im sorry, but people with low IQ's should not be allowed to reproduce. And no, im not gonna read anyone's comments after this, so your argument is a moot point. but seriously... people who are dumb need to stop reproducing. And people need to stop going to fast food restaurants. A chicken salad, unprepared costs 50 cents. or you go to places to buy it for $5. a burger made at home (grilled with natural juices and without oil) can be 75 cents (even with the veggies!)... or buy one for $1. use your energy to make one. Learn to cook. unfortunately many people have low IQ's, are fat, and think they are the best. Keep playing your video games. Ill reap the benefits. Anyone is allowed to join my party, but must put yourself out there and learn.
And FYI, if this guy was capable enough of using a gun, his IQ must be more than 70. he did it in cold blood, which meant this is a premeditated murder. This requires thought that must occur in people with an IQ of more than, again, 70. this is called abtract reasoning. he planned beforehand. too bad for him his betwee 70-100 IQ disallowed him to plan AFTER. he got what he deserved. and the death penalty should actually be cheaper. just shoot em and bury them. not that hard. save the taxpayer's money after 10 years on death row. That should be enough time for defense attorneys or families to do their own investigations. shame on them if they didnt find anything. get it over with, move on.
What the hell does this article have to do with chicken salad and burgers!?
im sorry, but people with low IQ's should not be allowed to reproduce
Is that why the South Carolina state government involuntarily sterlized some of their people until the mid 70's?
Trouble is lots of them vote too.
rallyfordge; i live in tx and am smart enough to see why P.E. teach isnt a professor too.have a good one coach.
Oh, he was supposedly too mentally handicapped to be put to death, but he wasn't too mentally handicapped to murder someone!!! I am sooooo tired of hearing these criminals complain that they are mentally handicapped or were abused when they were young and they think that is supposed to excuse them from the death penalty for killing another person!!!
In does excuse them in many liberal bleeding heart states like CA and NY.
It's a happy day when we get 2 for the price of 1. I'm sure the snitch he wasted was a piece of @!$%#. Give me a "T" for Texas; yipee!
About time they executed him, he got convicted, and sentenced to die, in 1994, the ones with the low IQ are the ones that did not just shoot him in the courtyard in 1994, but allowed this circus to keep going on, on taxpayers expense, for 18 years!!!!!
If Texas wasn't allowed to execute dummies, there would be nobody to execute.....(and that would just piss off all those pro-lifer's in Texas....)
Luke:
You really that retarded or are you making an extra effort today to impress us?
The only thing funner than trying to judge sanity in Texas are the angry responses by Texas conservatives on a liberal lame stream media news outlet comment board to a liberal opinion....
You sir are a marvelous troll. I don't know where you live but if I were you I wouldn't tell anyone
I'm from New York, moron!!!
Wow Rally,
Sure looks like you told off CA-395175
It was meant for the idiot, Luke!
Is that why you wisely left off the correct moniker Rally....So you'd have to explain your gaffe and insult?
Uh Duh !
Hm, Texas has executed "over 37 times as many as California (the state with the largest number of death row inmates; California has not executed anyone since January 2006)." It could be that if they would execute some of them, they wouldn't have so many?
California is on the take for the money. Texas means business!