Jury says Atkins isn't retarded [View All]

Jury says Atkins isn't retarded
The convicted murderer on death row showed no emotion as the verdict was read. His execution date is set for Dec. 2.

BY KEITH RUSHING
247-7870

August 6, 2005

YORK -- Daryl Atkins' fate has rested in the hands of a jury. Atkins, 27, sentenced to death in 1998, would've been removed from death row if the jury decided he was mentally retarded.

After about 15 hours of deliberation, the jury of six men and six women decided Friday that Atkins' defense attorneys failed to show that he is retarded.

York-Poquoson Circuit Judge Prentis Smiley Jr. set execution for Dec. 2.

Atkins' mother, Elvira Bullock, who had testified that her son was slow to speak and learn new tasks, was led out of court in tears. She had no comment minutes later as she left the courthouse, still tearful, with someone holding each arm.
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