HOUSTON (CBSDFW/AP) — Texas’ highest criminal court has commuted the death sentence of a Mexican man after agreeing with findings he was ineligible for execution due to intellectual disability.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday changed 43-year-old Juan Lizcano’s death sentence to a term of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
READ MORE: Dallas ISD First-Grade Teacher Kevin Rayo Arrested For Allegedly Possessing Child PornographyLizcano was convicted of capital murder in the November 2005 shooting death of 28-year-old Dallas police officer Brian Jackson.
Testimony at his trial showed Lizcano had the communication skills of a 8- to 10-year-old.
READ MORE: 'Empathy For Others,' Texas Second-Grader Paisley Elliot Nominated For Kid's Version Of Nobel Peace PrizeThe Supreme Court in 2002 barred execution of intellectually disabled people.
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