James Lee Clark

James Lee Clark was an American murderer whose controversial execution by the state of Texas sparked international outcry as it was believed by many that his execution violated the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Atkins v. Virginia which held that executions of intellectually disabled criminals is cruel and unusual punishment which is prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.

Clark was born in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. Court documents revealed that his father disappeared the day he found out Clarks mother was pregnant. Testimony from a psychologist at his appeals hearing stated that Clark told him he had his first drink when he was seven years old and was commonly drunk by the age of 13, at which point he also began to smoke cannabis regularly. After failing two grades and being placed in special education classes he dropped out of school in the ninth grade.

Source: Wikipedia