Throughout the trial, Ford was in great mental health. After he was put on Death Row, his mental state worsened. The behavioral changes Ford showed indicated he might be developing a mental disorder.
The defense counsel asked two psychiatrists to perform an evaluation on Ford. Both doctors found Ford was not competent enough to be executed. The counsel then appealed with a Florida statute that determines the competency of a condemned person. The Governor assigned three psychiatrists to evaluate Ford. While each produced a report that conflicted with the others one variable remained the same; Ford was competent enough to be executed. The defense counsel attempted to submit its own reports on Ford’s mental state, but the Governor’s office would not say if the documents would be considered. The Governor signed Ford’s death warrant with no explanation. The defense counsel appealed to the state courts, but they wouldn’t hear the case. The counsel then went through the Federal Court System until the case reached the Supreme Court in 1986.
Quick Fact: In Ford v. Wainwright, Wainwright was one of two secretaries of the Department of Corrections for Florida.
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