Opinion ID: 1148775
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: evidence and instruction on defendant's prior violence

Text: The defendant contends that the trial court erred in admitting evidence and instructing the jury that the charges on which he was previously found not guilty by reason of insanity were kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon. He further asserts error in admitting evidence of his violent conduct while committed and during an escape from commitment. In a release hearing, the scope of inquiry is necessarily broad. The jury must weigh the defendant's desire for freedom against the risk that, if released, he may harm himself or others. To require the jury to decide this issue in an informational vacuum would be unfair to both the defendant and the public. A jury charged with such a heavy responsibility is entitled to hear all competent evidence relevant to the ultimate issue of whether the defendant meets the legal standard for release. Obviously, this includes evidence of the defendant's psychiatric history, the circumstances leading to his insanity plea and the resultant commitment, his prognosis for recovery, and all other relevant facts. [7] Trial courts have broad discretion in ruling on these evidentiary matters. Here there was no prejudicial error either as to evidentiary rulings or the questioned jury instruction.