February 2003
From Lancet
Execution: An unwanted side-effect NB. Please note that if you are outside North America, the embargo for LANCET press material is 0001 hours UK Time 21 February 2003. This week's Lancet editorial speaks out strongly against the recent St Louis federal appeals court decision that Charles Laverner Singleton-on death row since 1979 for the murder of a shop clerk-should receive antipsychotic treatment to make him well enough for execution.The editorial concludes: 'If-as is likely-the Singleton case goes to the US Supreme Court, the Court has the chance to build on its recent ruling to outlaw execution of the mentally retarded. It must rule against the practice of forced medical treatment of the mentally ill to restore competence for execution as a medically and ethically untenable dilemma.' | |