While I am for the death penalty I find the following metaphor indicative of a weak grasp of the Justices’ decision, “As ludicrous as it sounds, it would make as much sense to suggest that retarded people shouldn’t have their appendixes removed because they aren’t qualified to assist the surgeon during the operation”.
When one has their appendix removed the patient is unconscious and completely at the mercy of the skill and care of those who are performing the operation. When one is tried, one’s testimony, both in court, to the investigators and your discussions with your lawyer, all have a large bearing on most cases. So, the relationship between the accused and his lawyer is much different then the one between patient and surgeon.
That said, if you have the mental facility to premeditate a murder and then execute it… well then you should have the facility for paying for your crime.
