In 1963, Marian designed and implemented a program to improve techniques for working with profoundly mentally retarded individuals at a human development center in Alexandria, Louisiana.

"The council is particularly supportive of the New Jersey Special Olympics, assisting in providing sports training and athletic competition for mentally retarded individuals."

And there are documented cases of mentally retarded individuals confessing to murders that they hadn't committed.

When mentally retarded individuals are hired and matched to appropriate tasks, the experience can prove beneficial for employers and workers alike.

David Ferleger, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said that before the ruling, the right to community care applied only to mentally retarded individuals who had been in institutions.

He contrasted this with more adequate funds for mentally retarded individuals.

The Supreme Court will be asked today to decide "whether the execution of mentally retarded individuals convicted of capital crimes violates the Eighth Amendment."

Those under 18 years of age are usually classified as children in court, as are mentally retarded individuals under 22.

The women's new apartment at 120 West 105th Street in Manhattan was one of four in the building that have been rented for eight mentally retarded individuals.

This means that inflicting the death penalty on one mentally retarded individual is less likely to deter other mentally retarded individuals from committing crimes.