The Louisiana Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously rejected arguments that the convicted killer of a Baton Rouge police officer should be spared the death penalty because he is diagnosed as mildly mentally retarded. Justice Greg Guidry authored the decision, which affirmed the conviction and death penalty for Shedran Williams, 39.
A store detective sought Lt. Vickie Wax’s assistance after noticing that Williams was leaving the business without paying for two cameras in his back pockets, court records show. Williams seized Wax’s pistol, fatally shot her, wounded the detective and another witness, then bolted from the store and hijacked a car in the parking lot, according to Guidry’s summary of the case. Williams later surrendered. A jury rejected Williams’ claim that he is mildly retarded. They heard conflicting testimony on that issue from expert witnesses for the defense and prosecution, Guidry noted. "We do not find the jurors were confused on the issues or the evidence before them,” Guidry wrote.
Excerpted from 2theadvocate.com.
