United States Supreme Court ruling changes sentence of Charles Brownlow in 2013 murders from the death penalty to life in prison without parole.
Due to a change in the law after his jury trial, Charles Brownlow, convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death, is no longer eligible to receive the death penalty.
On October 28, 2013, Brownlow shot and killed a gas station clerk during the course of an armed robbery. Earlier that day, Brownlow killed four other victims. At his punishment trial, Brownlow argued that he was intellectually disabled and therefore ineligible for the death penalty. The jury rejected his argument and sentenced Brownlow to death. After his conviction and sentence, the United States Supreme Court overturned Texas law, changing the standard for determining whether a person is intellectually disabled. The Court of Criminal Ap
The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed Brownlow’s guilt, but due to the new standard, reversed Brown-low’s death sentence and returned the case to the trial court for punishment. After consulting with multiple experts, the Criminal District Attorney has determined that under the new standard for intellectual disability, Brownlow is intellectually disabled. He is therefore constitutionally protected from receiving the death penalty. Brownlow will be automatically sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“Although Charles Brownlow will not receive the death penalty due to his intellectual disability, our citizens are protected from potential future danger from Brownlow,” Erleigh N. Wiley, Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney.
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