Rodney Thompson argued in his appeal that the evidence shows the shooting was an accident, not murder; that the trial court was wrong in refusing to allow his attorney to introduce evidence that would show he had an IQ of only 67 and therefore lacked the mental capacity to operate a crossbow properly; that evidence of his prior threat to kill his mother should not have been admitted at trial; and that statements he made in front of an investigator violated his Miranda rights and also should not have been admitted at trial.
But the high court ruled that it could find "no merit to these contentions."
Thompson, who lived with his mother, Marjorie Lynch, 64, Bethlehem, was convicted of killing her June 5, 2008. About a week before she was killed, according to investigators, Lynch had told Thompson he would have to start helping out with the household bills and pay rent, otherwise he would have to leave. That, they say, is what apparently led to Lynch's death.
(You can click on the link below to read the full text of the Supreme Court's unanimous ruling upholding Thompson's conviction and sentence.)
Rodney Thompson
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/4/274230