1.   A bill to prevent the state from executing mentally retarded killers is pending in Jefferson City and has created two unusual allies.

2.   But the justices also decided that the Constitution does not bar the execution of mentally retarded killers.

3.   He thinks mentally retarded killers should be allowed to live behind bars.

4.   Lawmakers also passed legislation to prohibit the execution of mentally retarded killers, but Gov. Rick Perry might veto the measure.

5.   New York and Connecticut are among the states that already bar executions of mentally retarded killers.

6.   One member of the commission, attorney James Bush, suggested that the commission urge legislators to pass a law banning the execution of retarded killers.

7.   Stevens also said that executing mentally retarded killers neither appropriately punishes them nor serves as a deterrent to others.

8.   The high court is expected to rule this summer on the constitutionality of executing mentally retarded killers.

9.   The other will determine whether to ban the executions of mentally retarded killers.

10.   The Texas Legislature last year voted down a bill that would have prohibited the execution of a mentally retarded killer.