Supreme Court to hear case on IQ tests and death penalty next term

The facade of the Supreme Court building on May 20 amid renovations. (Wesley Lapointe/For The Washington Post)

By Amy B Wang

The Supreme Court will hear a case next term centered on the role of multiple IQ scores in determining an Alabama murderer’s eligibility for the death penalty, according to a list issued by the court late Friday. Subscribe for unlimited access to The Post You can cancel anytime. Subscribe

In Hamm v. Smith, the state of Alabama is arguing that Joseph Smith — who was sentenced to death for a murder in 1997 — should be executed because he has not proved that his IQ is 70 or below, as required by state law.