The Intercept discusses the vagueness of the concept of “competency” and why people on death row who are deemed to be mentally ill get little sympathy.
âWhen we do a competency exam, itâs always competency to do such-and-such,â psychiatrist Terry Kupers tells The Intercept. âAnd there are standards that are different. For instance, there is a standard for competency to stand trial; itâs spelled out legally. Then thereâs another issue: if an individual wants to stand trial and act as their own attorney, then we have another level of competency. Well, the lowest standard there is, is the standard to be executed â itâs just, basically, minimal.â
Why Is It So Easy for States to Execute the Mentally Ill? (The Intercept, May 20, 2015)