Missouri court weighs death sentence in triple killing

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) -- The attorney for a Cape Girardeau man on death row says the man is mentally disabled and wants the Missouri Supreme Court to lift the death sentence.

Andrew Lyons was given two death sentences in 1996 for killing his girlfriend, Bridgette Harris, and Harris' mother, Evelyn Sparks. Lyons also was convicted of killing his son, Dontay. One death sentence already has been lifted because it was imposed by a judge.

Lyons' attorney argued Thursday that Lyons scored low on intelligence tests and is mentally disabled. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the mentally disabled cannot be executed.

A judge appointed to evaluate Lyons' case concluded that he is mentally disabled.

The state contests the determination and argues that Lyons is not mentally disabled under state law.

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