Mental disability and the death penalty : the shame of the states / Michael L. Perlin.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 273-277) and index.

An introduction and the dilemma of factual innocence -- Sanism, pretextuality, the role of dignity, and therapeutic jurisprudence -- Future dangerousness and the death penalty -- Mental disability evidence and mitigation -- Competency to be executed : the case of mental retardation -- Competency to be executed : the case of mental illness -- Competency to be executed : the question of medication -- Neuroimaging and the death penalty -- The role of jurors, prosecutors, and judges -- The death penalty, mental disability, and adequacy of counsel -- The death penalty and international human rights law -- Conclusion.

"In this book, Michael Perlin explores the relationship between mental disabilities and the death penalty and explains why and how this state of affairs has come to be, to explore why it is necessary to identify the factors that have contributed to this scandalous and shameful policy morass, to highlight the series of policy choices that need immediate remediation, and to offer some suggestions that might meaningfully ameliorate the situation. Using real cases to illustrate the ways in which the persons with mental disabilities are unable to receive fair treatment during death penalty trials, he demonstrates the depth of the problem and the way it's been institutionalized so as to be an accepted part of our system. He calls for a new approach, and greater attention to the issues that have gone overlooked for so long."-- Provided by publisher.