In June 2002, he vetoed a ban on the execution of mentally retarded inmates.

There are no mentally retarded inmates on federal death row, and no juvenile offenders.

The generally dry debate on habeas corpus contrasted sharply with the emotional exchanges surrounding the issue of executing mentally retarded inmates.

There are at least 200 mentally retarded inmates in the nation's prisons awaiting execution, according to a recent report by Human Rights Watch.

Prior to this decision, between 1984 and 2002 forty-four mentally retarded inmates were executed.

That case challenges the legality of executing mentally retarded inmates.

But the governor, a Republican, is undecided about a bill barring the execution of mentally retarded inmates.

Following are excerpts from the Supreme Court decision yesterday that executing mentally retarded inmates is unconstitutionally cruel.

Sponsors of the Texas legislation say the state has executed six mentally retarded inmates in recent years, and seven more are awaiting execution.

On June 20, the Supreme Court held that executing mentally retarded inmates is unconstitutional.