Supreme Court declines to hear Texas man's intellectual disability case in capital case

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to review the case of Victor Saldaño, a Texas man facing a death sentence. This decision effectively ends Saldaño's legal challenge and paves the way for his execution.

Saldaño's defense attorneys argued that he possesses an intellectual disability, which, according to established legal standards, renders him ineligible for capital punishment. Notably, both the defense and state-appointed experts reportedly agreed on Saldaño's ineligibility for execution under the law.

Despite this apparent consensus among experts regarding his condition, the Supreme Court's denial of certiorari means the lower court's ruling stands. The implications are stark: Saldaño is now likely to be executed, highlighting a critical juncture in the application of intellectual disability laws in capital cases.