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No. 19-8022October Term 2019Decided May 26, 2020

Docket 19-8022October Term 2019 (2019–2020)

Dixon v. Shinn

This case involves a death row inmate with schizophrenia who challenged his competency to be executed under the Eighth Amendment.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released May 26, 2020
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedMay 26, 2020
What it's about

This case involves a death row inmate with schizophrenia who challenged his competency to be executed under the Eighth Amendment. The dispute centers on whether state courts must consider evidence of non-bizarre delusions when determining if a prisoner understands the reason for their execution.

Question presented

Whether state courts must consider evidence of non-bizarre delusions when determining if a prisoner understands the reason for their execution.

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released May 26, 2020

Area

Decided Supreme Court case