CHILD-KILLER CASE Defense expert testifies about IQ

The defense expert went over the convicted killer's school records.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A Columbus clinical psychologist hired by the defense has stated that he believes convicted murderer Danny Lee Hill is mildly retarded, and an expert hired by the prosecution will soon give his views.
Prosecutors are expected to have their expert begin testifying in Hill's hearing sometime today.
Dr. David Hammer, of Columbus, hired by the defense, gave his assessment Monday and Tuesday.
During most of Tuesday's hearing, Dr. Hammer went over Hill's school records. Prosecutors are expected to continue asking Hammer questions today.Visiting Judge Thomas Patrick Curran is presiding over the proceedings. An expert hired by the court will also be rendering her assessment later in the week.
Hill is on Ohio's death row after being convicted of the 1986 sexual assault and mutilation death of Raymond Fife, 12, of Warren.
Hill's attorneys contend their client is mentally retarded and should therefore be spared the death penalty.
Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins and Atty. LuWayne Annos, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, selected Dr. Greg Olley, a psychologist from North Carolina, as their expert to evaluate Hill.
Judge Curran selected Dr. Nancy Huntsman of Austintown.
Many members of Fife's family have attended the court proceedings. Debbie Clair, of Warren, who knows the Fife family, stood outside the courthouse Tuesday with a sign showing her displeasure with the hearing.
The sign read "Stupid is as stupid does. Stupid doesn't mean retarded."
She said Hill saw her and the sign as he was escorted from the jail to the courthouse.
"We made eye contact," Clair said. She added that Hill did not comment.
Here's the situation
Hill, dressed in bright orange coveralls, sat quietly at the defense table during Tuesday's proceedings and stared straight ahead.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that executing mentally retarded people constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and is unconstitutional.
Prosecutors have pointed in court documents to an IQ test Hill took in 2000, which concluded that he isn't mentally retarded. He scored a 71 on that 2000 test.
Although the U.S. Supreme Court didn't specify an`IQ level for determining mental retardation, most states generally consider someone with an IQ of 70 or lower to be retarded.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati delayed Hill's appeal process in August 2002 pending a ruling from a state court on his mental capacity.
Curran is a retired judge on special assignment by the state Supreme Court.
sinkovich@vindy.com