Panetti, Scott v. Quarterman, Nathaniel (Dir., TX Dept. of Criminal Essay

Panetti, Scott v. Quarterman, Nathaniel (Dir., TX Dept. of Criminal Justice) - Essay Example Negative symptoms are so named because they are considered to be the loss or absence of normal traits or abilities, and include features such as flat, blunted or constricted affect and emotion, poverty of speech and lack of motivation. Additionally, a 'disorganization syndrome' and neurocognitive deficit may be present. These may take the form of reduced or impaired psychological functions. Even the diagnostic category of schizophrenia has been widely criticized as lacking in scientific validity or reliability, consistent with evidence of poor levels of consistency in diagnostic practices and the use of criteria. The problems and issues making up the diagnosis of schizophrenia would be better addressed as individual dimensions along which everyone varies, such that there is a spectrum or continuum rather than a cut-off between normal and ill. This approach appears consistent prevalence of psychotic experiences and delusional beliefs amongst the general public. The word Schizophrenia has derived from the Greek shjzofre'neja, meaning "split mind" manifested as mental disorder characterized by impairments in the perception or expression of reality. A person experiencing schizophrenia is typically characterized as demonstrating disorganized thinking and as experiencing delusions or hallucinations, in particular auditory hallucinations. In relation to the case of the Panetti, Scott v. Quarterman, Nathaniel the question arises "Does the 8th Amendment permit the execution of an inmate who has a factual awareness of the reason for his execution, but who, because of severe mental illness, has a delusional belief as to why the state is executing him, and thus does not appreciate that his execution is intended to seek retribution for his capital crime" On Jan. 5, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court accepted review in this capital case. LEAH FABEL, MEDILL NEWS SERVICE writes that "nothing stopped Scott Panetti, a diagnosed schizophrenic with a ten-year history of severe mental illness, from obeying the voices in his mind on Sept. 8, 1992. He shaved his head, sawed off the barrel of a shotgun and drove to his in-laws' home where he murdered them in front of his estranged wife and 3-year-old daughter. Then he showered, changed into a suit and presented himself to the authorities." By the time of his trial in 1995, Panetti dressed as a cowboy from the Old West and served as his own defense counsel. He subpoenaed John F. Kennedy, Pope John Paul II, Anne Bancroft and Jesus. We know on Sept. 21, 1995, the jury returned a guilty verdict and the state of Texas sentenced Scott Panetti to death. Today, after fourteen and a half years of legal wrangling, Panetti's fate rests in the U.S. Supreme Court. The final issue to be resolved is whether a state can execute a death row inmate who knows exactly what he did and the punishment that awaits him, but due to mental illness holds a delusional belief as to the reason for his execution. In the time since his conviction, Panetti has come to believe that the state of Texas actually is executing him for preaching the Gospel. His lawyers argue