Matthew Reeves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matthew Reeves
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| Born | December 13, 1977 Selma, Alabama, U.S.
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| Died | January 27, 2022 (aged 44) Holman Correctional Facility, Atmore, Alabama, U.S.
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| Cause of death | Execution by lethal injection |
| Conviction(s) | Capital murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death (1998) |
| Details | |
| Victims | Willie Johnson Jr. |
| Date | November 27, 1996 |
| State(s) | Alabama |
| Imprisoned at | Holman Correctional Facility |
Matthew Reeves (December 13, 1977 – January 27, 2022) was an American whose legal case received much attention. He was involved in a serious crime in 1996, which led to a legal process in the state of Alabama. His case became widely known because of discussions about whether he had an intellectual disability.
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About Matthew Reeves
Matthew Reeves was born on December 13, 1977. He had intellectual disabilities, which means he had a lower IQ score, around the 60s. This aspect of his life became very important during his legal journey.
Matthew Reeves' Legal Journey
Matthew Reeves was involved in a legal case related to the death of Willie Johnson Jr. in 1996. In 1998, a court decided that he would face a severe penalty. His brother, Julius Reeves, who was also involved, received a different sentence. Another person, Brenda Suttles, was also given a prison sentence.
Arguments About Intellectual Disability
Matthew Reeves' lawyers argued that his first trial lawyers did not do enough to show he had an intellectual disability. They believed that because of his disability, he should not face the most severe penalty. They felt more should have been done to present evidence of his condition.
In 2021, the United States Supreme Court looked at his case. They decided that the Alabama state court had correctly handled the arguments about his lawyers. The Supreme Court stated that his trial lawyers were not required to hire a special expert, called a neuropsychologist, to prove his intellectual disability.
Scheduling the Legal Outcome
Later in 2021, the Alabama Supreme Court decided that Matthew Reeves' legal outcome would proceed on January 27, 2022. This decision meant he would die by lethal injection.
Legal Challenges and Appeals
In January 2022, Matthew Reeves' legal team filed a lawsuit. They argued that the state did not properly help him understand a form. This form asked him to choose a method for his death, and his lawyers said his disability made it hard for him to understand it.
A federal appeals court agreed with Reeves, temporarily stopping the process. However, the state appealed this decision to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court then decided by a close vote that the process could continue.
Conclusion of the Legal Process
Matthew Reeves died on January 27, 2022, when he was 44 years old. This happened as a result of the legal process. Some members of Willie Johnson Jr.'s family were present. They shared a statement saying that after many years, they felt a sense of closure.
Before this event, the ambassador from the European Union to the United States, Stavros Lambrinidis, sent a letter. He asked the Governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey, to stop the process. The letter also mentioned the serious nature of the crime against Willie Johnson Jr.
See also
In Spanish: Matthew Reeves para niños
- List of people executed in Alabama
- List of people executed in the United States in 2022
