Juries would determine whether defendants facing the...

Juries would determine whether defendants facing the death penalty are mentally handicapped and should be spared from execution under legislation passed by the House. House Bill 1017 recognizes the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that executing "mentally retarded" convicts is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment. During a trial, any defendant found to be mentally handicapped could be convicted of 1st degree murder, typically the only crime for which the death penalty is sought, but would have to be sentenced to life imprisonment.