Can a state execute a prisoner whose mental disability leaves him with no memory of the capital offense for which he was convicted, or would his execution violate our evolving standards of decency as protected by the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment? Come witness mock oral arguments for Madison v. Alabama. Elizabeth Canapary, J.D., assistant professor of Justice, will defend the rights of Vernon Madison, who has been compromised by vascular dementia and multiple strokes, causing severe cognitive dysfunctions that prevent him from remembering the crime for which he was convicted or understanding the circumstances of his scheduled execution. Lance Roxas, Ph.D., assistant professor of Social Science, will defend Alabama’s state sovereignty and political authority to carry out the execution. The participants will also field questions from the audience and ask for volunteers to take part as judges in the case. 

*Approved Substantive CLE