On Wednesday, April 18, at 1 PM, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Panetti v. Quarterman. This case focuses on the question of whether an inmate must have a rational understanding of his crime and why he is being punished prior to execution, or whether mere awareness of his situation is sufficient for mental competency. For a fuller description of the case, see Supreme Court (Pending 2007 cases). This page includes links to some of the legal briefs filed in this case. For a broader discussion of issues beyond the limited scope of this case, see Mental Illness. (Posted April 16, 2007).
Citation Guide
- Death Penalty Information Center (2025, March 14). Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Whether Texas Man is Mentally Competent to be Executed. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/supreme-court-to-hear-arguments-on-whether-texas-man-is-mentally-competent-to-be-executed
- Death Penalty Information Center. “Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Whether Texas Man is Mentally Competent to be Executed.” Last modified March 14, 2025. Accessed October 4, 2026. https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/supreme-court-to-hear-arguments-on-whether-texas-man-is-mentally-competent-to-be-executed.
- Death Penalty Information Center. “Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Whether Texas Man is Mentally Competent to be Executed.” Death Penalty Information Center, 14 Mar. 2025, https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/supreme-court-to-hear-arguments-on-whether-texas-man-is-mentally-competent-to-be-executed. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.
