Capital Defense Weekly

Scott Panetti on remand

The Supreme Court in June blocked Scott Panetti’s execution and remanded for a determination if he was competent to be executed

The federal district court, Hon. Sam Sparks, in Austin, Texas mid-week issued its opinion on Panetti’s competency.

“Panetti was mentally ill when he committed his crime and continues to be mentally ill today,” read Sparks’ opinion, issued Wednesday.

“However, he has both a factual and rational understanding of his crime, his impending death, and the causal retributive connection between the 2.

“Therefore, if any mentally ill person is competent to be executed for his crimes, this record establishes it is Scott Panetti,” Sparks wrote.

In September 1992, Panetti, who had previously been hospitalized for serious schizophrenic problems, murdered his parents in-law.

A judge ruled that he was competent to stand trial, and he was allowed to represent himself in the case.

Dressed as a cowboy, in his trial Panetti called on Jesus Christ, the late US president John F. Kennedy and the late Pope John Paul II as witnesses. His statements were laced with delirious and incomprehensible monologues.

Tags: competency to be executed, Ford v. Wainwright, Scott Panetti