Supreme Court declines to review Texas inmate’s intellectual disability claim

The U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear an appeal by Victor Saldaño, a Texas man challenging his eligibility for the death penalty on the grounds of intellectual disability. Both the defense and state experts conclude that Saldaño was not eligible for execution under the applicable legal standards. After he is prosecuted in a murder case, Texas officials join Saldaño’s request to send the case back for further consideration of his intellectual disability argument. The Supreme Court’s refusal to review the case means the current legal path is not reopened at the high court level, and Saldaño is expected to remain on track for execution. While the filings indicate a dispute about how the intellectual disability issue is assessed, the Supreme Court’s action ends the opportunity for the Court to weigh in directly on the claim. The decision reflects a procedural outcome rather than a merits ruling by the Supreme Court.