Sammy Perkins is scheduled for execution in North Carolina on October 8, despite his mental illness and the fact that the jurors at his trial did not learn the extent of his disability. According to a press release from Perkins’s attorneys:

“The jury never heard the full story of Sammy Perkins’ mental disorder: A family history of psychiatric problems left its mark on Sammy Perkins. Several family members suffered from mental illnesses. In his late teens and early twenties, the time when bi-polar disorders are often discovered, Perkins was found ranting in public, sometimes completely naked. From a poor family, he was not able to get psychiatric help, treatment or medication. Bi-polar disorder, left untreated, is a debilitating mental illness, with wild mood swings, depression and manic highs during which the person can be out of touch with reality. As he self-medicated his moods and depression with cocaine, heroin and alcohol, the condition worsened. Myasthenia Gravis claimed Perkins as well. This autoimmune disease causes muscular weakness. Prescription Prednisone, given to Perkins to abate the symptoms, causes euphoria, hyperactivity and is highly addictive.” (Press Release, Sept. 29, 2004, Attorneys Ed West: 910.254.4748 and Nora Hargrove: 910.763.7952). See Mental Illness.