Of course, none of this litigation to date settles the question of whether our judiciary should be executing anyone, with or without a mental illness. But until that question is settled, psychiatry will struggle along with the courts to decide exactly how ill is too ill to die.
Dr. Hanson is a forensic psychiatrist and coauthor of “Shrink Rap: Three Psychiatrists Explain Their Work.” The opinions expressed are those of the author only, and do not represent those of any of Dr. Hanson’s employers or consultees, including the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene or the Maryland Division of Correction.