Georgia set to execute intellectually disabled man whose lawyer slept during trial
The U.S. state of Georgia is scheduled to execute Kenneth Fults at midnight UK time (tonight) despite concerns about Fults’ mental state, racial bias, and lack of adequate representation during his trial.
Fults has an IQ of 74 and several jurors have said that his lawyer was sleeping during the proceedings.
One juror signed a sworn statement eight years after the fact saying “I don’t know if he ever killed anybody, but that n***** got just what should have happened.
Once he pled guilty, I knew I would vote for the death penalty because that’s what the n***** deserved.”
Amnesty International USA Death Penalty Campaigner James Clark said:
“Mr. Fults’ death sentence is tainted by undeniable racism. This case shows the fundamental flaws in the death penalty system. Georgia authorities must halt this execution immediately and end the death penalty once and for all.”
Fults was convicted of murdering Cathy Bonds in her home in May 1997.