Story perspectives

Supreme Court Weighs IQ Standards in Death Penalty Case

12/14/2025

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court heard Hamm v. Smith on December 10, 2025.
Joseph Smith, the defendant in Hamm v. Smith, has IQ scores above 70.
Alabama's Deputy Solicitor General argued that Smith does not meet the criteria for intellectual disability.
Smith's attorney argued that the courts correctly considered all evidence, including adaptive functioning.
Justices questioned IQ-score methods and the impact on capital punishment, with a decision expected by term end.

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Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court heard Hamm v. Smith on December 10, 2025.
Joseph Smith, the defendant in Hamm v. Smith, has IQ scores above 70.
Alabama's Deputy Solicitor General argued that Smith does not meet the criteria for intellectual disability.
Smith's attorney argued that the courts correctly considered all evidence, including adaptive functioning.
Justices questioned IQ-score methods and the impact on capital punishment, with a decision expected by term end.