I found this in some of Teresa Lewis's court appeals:
"Cognitive testing showed a Full Scale IQ of 72. Verbal IQ was 70, and Performance IQ was 79. This places the defendant in the borderline range of mental retardation (Borderline Intellectual Function)."
What does this mean? Does it mean that a retarded person is held as accountable for thier actions as a mentally capable person? I hope not. I dont like that idea. I have a cousin who I dearly love but who just isnt wrapped to tight. She once shop lifted about $300 worth of antiques from an auction house. The thought of her having to be held responsible for some of the things she does scares me.
A person with an IQ of 70 or lower is generally considered mentally retarded and ineligible for execution under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year.
Monday, September 22, 2008
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4 intelligent comments:
Hello,
I've been writing Teresa on death row for several years. I, too, am very concerned about her IQ. It's obvious she is "Young Minded". I have shared her letters with her attorney to let him see this for himself. (he's a wonderful man by the way). Thank you about being concerned about Teresa's welfare. She's a lovely person.
Erika
I've been writing Teresa on Va. Death Row for several years. I, too, am very concerned she will be executed despite her IQ bordering on mental retardation. She's a lovely person and I worry for her. Thank you for being concerned about her.
Erika
I have been visiting with Teresa for about 5 years in person as her lay chaplain. She is obviously bordering on metal retardation and needs very basic things explained to her -- for example, although she was abused by her victim, she did not know to call it abuse -- so this information was not offered in court.
Also, if the same crime were committed today, she would be ineligible for the death penalty because of the Triggerman rule. She did not pull the trigger so it seems to me life in prison is what she should be sentenced to. Is Virginia so anxious to continue killing people even if they are mentally challenged and would not qualify for the death penalty today?
She killed two people as sure as if she pulled the trigger herself. She wasn't abused by her husband or her stepson. I know I am the only family left of the deceased. She was treated like a queen and cherished. What other reasons does she have for this crime? Why is it hard to believe that she is guilty? She is! She plead guilty and was found guilty!!
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