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Reports that the Texas State Court of Criminal Appeals has ruled that two death-row inmates were mentally retarded and thus ineligible for execution, and commuted their sentences to life imprisonment.

Gov. Rick Perry signed legislation improving security and oversight of the state's large institutions for the mentally disabled. Mr. Perry, a Republican, had declared fixing problems at the institutions, where there were widespread reports of abuse and neglect, a top priority. The law requires the state to install video surveillance in common areas and give new powers to the inspector general's office to help prosecutors pursue cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Staff members will be subject to drug tests and criminal background checks. The bill also changes the name of institutions from ''state schools'' to ''state-supported living centers.'' [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The fourth suicide this year among mentally ill patients treated at the Dallas V.A. Medical Center has led the hospital to close its psychiatric ward to new patients, and investigators from the national Veterans Affairs office are expected to arrive next week to assess safety. Joseph Dalpiaz, director of the V.A. North Texas Health Care System, ordered the shutdown after a man hanged himself April 4. The hospital stopped admitting patients to its 51-bed psychiatric unit the next day; 10 previously admitted veterans are still being treated there. In January, two men who met in the hospital's psychiatric ward committed suicide days after being released. In February, a veteran in the ward hanged himself. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents information on a therapeutic program that uses horses retired by the Texas prison system for helping retarded persons to learn basic skills in Texas.

Editorial. Focuses on the decision of the United States Supreme Court overturning the death sentence of a retarded Texan named Johnny Paul Penry.

Focuses on the debate over retardate Mario Marquez's execution on rape and murder charges on January 18, 1995 in Huntsville, Texas. Background on Marquez; Defense lawyer, Robert McLassen's thoughts regarding Marquez's accountability in the crime; Comments of residents in the area regarding the case; Supreme Court's rationale for allowing the execution; Key points raised by Professor Ruth Luckasson regarding the case.

Reports on the 2003 Spring Games of Special Olympics Texas, an organization geared at helping those with mental retardation to develop confidence and cope with their disease. Information on how to donate for the event.

The article discusses the death penalty in Texas and the use of the fictional character Lennie Small from the book "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck to diagnose intellectual disability in criminals. Emphasis is given to topics such as the execution of mentally challenged murderer Bobby J. Moore, the Eight Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which bans cruel and unusual punishment, and the U.S. Supreme Court case of Atkins v. Virginia.

Reports on the overturning of a death sentence for Johnny Paul Penry, a retarded man on death row in Texas. Details of the ruling by the United State Supreme Court; The possibility of a bill banning the execution of mentally retarded prisoners in Texas; Speculation over whether Penry will face a third sentencing trial.

If Sharon Keller, the presiding judge of Texas' highest criminal court, has ever doubted her judgment, she has not shown it. In 1998, Judge Keller wrote the opinion rejecting a new trial for Roy Criner, a mentally retarded man convicted of rape and murder, even though DNA tests after his trial showed that it was not his semen in the victim. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article offers information on the Special Olympics Texas' 48th annual Summer Games to be held at The University of Texas at Arlington and other areas in May 2017.

Reports on the retirement of Thomas Chapmond, the commissioner of Texas' Department of Family and Protective Services, an agency criticized by investigators as grossly dysfunctional. Failure of the agency to care adequately for elderly and mentally ill clients and to investigate reports of abuse.

Reports that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the death sentences of two convicts, Willie Modden and Kenneth Vodochodsky. Court said Modden was retarded, precluding his execution; Modden was twice convicted and sentenced to death for a murder committed in 1984; Sentence reduced to life imprisonment; Court ordered that Vodochodsky be resentenced in a case involving the murders of two police officers in 1999.