Virginia executed a man named William Morva in 2017, despite
numerous concerns about his mental health.
The bill,
introduced by Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Fairfax) would stop any future executions,
in cases where experts determine a defendant was severely mentally ill at the
time of the offense.
The bill defines severe mental illness as “the exhibition of
active psychotic symptoms,” which Favola calls a “rigorous” standard.
“We exempt the use of alcohol, drugs, or dementia. None of
that,” she said. “This has got to be serious, serious mental illness at the
time the crime was committed.”
There are two inmates on death row in Virginia, according to
the Department of Corrections.
The Republican-controlled state Senate passed the measure in
2019, but it failed to get enough votes in the House. With Democrats in control
of the General Assembly this year, it will likely reach the Governor’s desk for
a signature.
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