---
title: 'Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Whether Texas Man is Mentally Competent to be Executed'
description: '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…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/supreme-court-to-hear-arguments-on-whether-texas-man-is-mentally-competent-to-be-executed'
section: news
date: '2007-04-13T19:52:42-04:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:24:37-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

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**](/news-us-supreme-court?did=248&scid=38) (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**](/mental-illness-and-death-penalty?did=782&scid=66). (Posted April 16, 2007).