Mississippi Death Row Inmate Argues ‘Intellectual Disability’ in Bid to Overturn Conviction

A Mississippi death row inmate has asked the Mississippi Supreme Court to overturn his conviction and death sentence in a new filing made on April 21..

Willie Cory Godbolt, who was convicted in 2017 for a killing spree that left eight people dead, filed a petition on April 21, 2026, seeking post-conviction relief. He said his execution would violate the U.S. Constitution.

Godbold was found guilty of multiple charges tied to a series of violent crimes that unfolded over several hours in May 2017. These included four counts of capital murder and four counts of first-degree murder. He was also convicted of kidnapping, attempted murder and armed robbery.

A jury sentenced him to death on the capital murder charges. The state’s highest court later upheld both his convictions and the sentence on direct appeal.

In the latest filing, Godbolt’s lawyers claim he is intellectually disabled. They argue that under U.S. Supreme Court rulings, people with such disabilities cannot be executed. His attorneys said this key issue was not properly presented during the trial.

“The jury did not hear critical evidence,” the petition states, pointing to what the defense calls serious gaps in how the case was handled.

The filings also argues that Godbolt’s trial lawyers failed to fully investigate his mental health history. It claims they did not present evidence of cognitive impairments, trauma, or diagnosed mental health conditions.

According to the petition, this left jurors without a full understanding of the factors that might have influenced their sentencing decision. The defense said such information could have led to a different outcome.

Godbolt is asking the court to reverse both his convictions and death sentence. As an alternative, he wants the case sent back to a lower court for a full evidentiary hearing.

So far, the Mississippi Supreme Court has not issued a response or set a timeline for a decision. Because of this latest development, the case has returned to the spotlight years after the crimes shocked the state. The court’s ruling will determine whether the conviction stands or if new legal proceedings will take place.

On May 27, 2017, eight people were fatally shot in a spree killing in Lincoln County. Godbolt was injured during the shooting spree and was arrested shortly afterward.