A group of conservative leaders has joined in an effort to save the life of Scott Panetti, a Texas death row inmate with a history of severe mental illness. Members include several law enforcement officials and notable conservatives, such as Mark Earley—former Attorney General of Virginia, Harold Stratten—former Attorney General of New Mexico, David Keene—the Washington Times opinion editor, James Miller III—director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan; and Richard Viguerie—chairman of ConservativeHQ.com. The group filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, stating, “Even for those who favor a measured and just system of capital punishment, the execution of Panetti would be a moral scandal that would only undermine confidence in such a system.” Panetti’s attorneys say that he is mentally incompetent and therefore ineligible for execution. Panetti, who represented himself at trial wearing a cowboy suit and attempted to subpoena John F. Kennedy and the pope, has not had his mental competency evaluated in seven years, and his attorneys say his condition has worsened. The conservatives’ brief concluded, “Panetti should be given the time and resources he seeks, and the case should be remanded so that he can prepare a petition for writ of habeas corpus raising a claim that he is incompetent to be executed.”

(A. Turner, “Conservative group urges court to provide legal help for condemned man,” Houston Chronicle, February 4, 2015; see Brief of Conservative Leaders). See New Voices and Mental Illness.

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