a 21-year-old man who worked as an airman for the U.S. air force based in Virginia. (Gibeaut 2002) Atkins kidnapped Eric Nesbitt from a local 7-11 store, took him to an ATM and forced him to withdraw money so that he could use it to purchase beer. After Atkins obtained the man's money he proceeded to shoot the man 8 times and killed him. (Josefson 2002) Prior to this Atkins had 16 convictions.
             In response to the Atkins V. Virginia trial, The U.S. Supreme court ruled 6-3 on June 20, 2002 that executing a mentally retarded prisoner is unconstitutional. In 1989 it was civilized to execute the mentally retarded. Now it is cruel. What has changed in the last 13 years, and why? Supreme court Justice, John Paul Stevens answers this question.
             The consensus of the American public, legislators, and judges has changed since Penry was decided. State legislators across the country began to address the issue, and have generally reacted against it. The practi
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