In the 1930s, a very peculiar case caught the attention of the residents of Colorado. Joe Arridy had been sentenced to death but because of his mental disability he could not understand or follow the court proceedings which had led to his conviction. As he could not understand the concept of death, the young man, at 23 years old, was considered by many to be the happiest man on death row.

This is a delicate case which invites close consideration of the treatment given to people with psychological disabilities by the criminal justice system. It is worth highlighting that, in this case, Joe was most probably innocent of the crime he was accused of.

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