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The Death Penalty Case Study

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The sentencing phase was delayed to allow for a mental exam to be conducted on the killer. Two psychologists determined that China Arnold had an average IQ and no significant mental illness. Dr. Jeffrey Smalldon said China Arnold suffered from a ‘low-grade chronic depressive condition’ as well as alcohol and drug abuse. He said he found nothing “that would have justified the death of this child.” In arguing for the death sentence, Assistant Montgomery County Prosecutor Dan Brandt told the jury members quite rightly that there were NO factors that reduce the “purposeful murder of baby Paris in that microwave.” Defense attorney Kevin Lennen said that the death penalty should go only to the worst offenders. He pointed to evidence that his client

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