ATLANTA – A bill aimed at keeping intellectually disabled people off Georgia’s death row is headed to the governor’s desk after passing the state Senate on Monday.
Supporters of House Bill 123 say the measure would bring Georgia in line with the 26 other states that still execute people. The legislation would reduce the burden needed to prove an intellectual disability in death penalty cases.
Under current law, a defendant must prove their disability beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s a high standard that’s unique to Georgia and nearly impossible to prove, defense attorneys say…