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July 18, 2012

U.N. Official Calls on Georgia, Texas to Halt Executions of 2 Mentally Disabled Men 
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A U.N. human rights investigator is calling on the United States to halt
the executions of two mentally disabled deathrow prisoners in Georgia
and Texas. The prisoners, Warren Hill and Yokamon Hearn, were each found
guilty of murder and sentenced to die despite concerns they may have
disabilities. Christof Heyns, the U.N. special rapporteur on executions,
called for the two men's sentences to be commuted, saying the killings
would violate the Supreme Court's ruling against executing people with
mental disabilities. Yokamon Hearn has reportedly been diagnosed with
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and has a history of mental health problems. He
is scheduled to be executed in Texas tonight.

 

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