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Supreme Court declines to hear Texas man's intellectual disability case in capital case
By Nina Totenberg at Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
The court's action means Victor Saldaño is likely to be executed even though both defense and state experts determined he was not eligible for execution under the law.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The Supreme Court's decision not to hear Victor Saldaño's case has significant implications for the application of intellectual disability laws in capital cases in Texas. Despite both defense and state experts agreeing that Saldaño is intellectually disabled and thus ineligible for execution, the court's inaction clears the way for his likely execution. This outcome raises questions about the consistency and fairness of Texas's capital punishment system, particularly in its treatment of defendants with intellectual disabilities. In Bexar County and across the state, this case may prompt renewed scrutiny of how intellectual disability is assessed and used as a factor in death penalty cases. The local community will be watching to see how Saldaño's case proceeds and whether it will lead to changes in how Texas applies its intellectual disability laws in capital cases. The potential execution of Saldaño despite his intellectual disability will likely be a point of concern for local advocates and lawmakers.
About this story
Original reporting by Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The court's action means Victor Saldaño is likely to be executed even though both defense and state experts determined he was not eligible for execution under the law.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nina Totenberg at Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News. To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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