Insanity Defense

INSANITY DEFENSE:

Here are sources of information about the Insanity Defense guidelines from the University of Minnesota Law website:

https://open.lib.umn.edu/criminallaw/chapter/6-1-the-insanity-defense/

A summary of the information is found below: 

First-Degree Murder:

Definition: The legal definition varies by jurisdiction, but first-degree murder is generally intentional and premeditated killing, meaning it was planned or deliberated in advance.

Elements: For a conviction of first-degree murder, the prosecution must generally prove:

• The act of killing was unlawful.

• The defendant acted with malice aforethought.

• The killing was premeditated (planned or deliberated).

• Causation (the defendant's actions led to the death).

• The victim is dead.

Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI):

Definition: A defense claiming that at the time of the commission of the acts constituting the offense, as a result of a severe mental disease or defect, the defendant was unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of his or her actions.

Elements: A qualifying mental disorder or defect was present. Because of this disorder or defect, the defendant lacked substantial capacity to:

• Appreciate the wrongfulness of their actions OR

• Conform their behavior to the requirements of the law.

Outcome: 

If the defense is successful, the defendant typically does not go to prison but is instead committed to a mental health facility for treatment. The length of commitment can vary.

Determination:

Evidence: Both the prosecution and defense can introduce evidence, often in the form of expert testimony, regarding the defendant's mental state. This can include psychological evaluations, medical history, testimonies from family or friends, and other relevant information.

Standard: The legal standards and tests for insanity differ among states. The most common is the M'Naghten Rule, which focuses on whether the defendant knew right from wrong when committing the act. Some states use the Irresistible Impulse Test, which considers whether the defendant could control their actions. Others might use the Durham Rule or the Model Penal Code, which incorporate broader considerations of mental illness.

Burden of Proof: Again, this varies by jurisdiction. In some states, the defense must prove insanity by a preponderance of the evidence. In others, the prosecution must prove sanity beyond a reasonable doubt.

A verdict of NGRI or due to cognitive defects is not an acquittal in the traditional sense; it acknowledges that the defendant committed the act but was not in a mental state to be held criminally responsible. It's worth noting that this defense is relatively rare and is not often successfully employed.