Opinion ID: 1614399
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: 6(a) INSANITY

Text: An issue in this case is whether (defendant) was insane when the crime allegedly was committed. A person is considered to be insane when: 1. [He] [She] had a mental infirmity, disease, or defect. 2. Because of this condition a. [he] [she] did not know what [he] [she] was doing or its consequences or b. although [he] [she] knew what [he] [she] was doing and its consequences, [he] [she] did not know it was wrong. Give if applicable. A defendant who believed that what [he] [she] was doing was morally right is not insane if the defendant knew that what [he] [she] was doing violated societal standards or was against the law. All persons are presumed to be sane. However, if the evidence causes you to have a reasonable doubt concerning the defendant's sanity, then the presumption of sanity vanishes and the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was sane. The defendant has the burden of proving the defense of insanity by clear and convincing evidence. Clear and convincing evidence is evidence that is precise, explicit, lacking in confusion, and of such weight that it produces a firm belief, without hesitation, about the matter in issue. In determining the issue of insanity, you may consider the testimony of expert and nonexpert witnesses. The question you must answer is not whether the defendant is insane today, or has ever been insane, but simply ifwhether instead the defendant was insane at the time the crime allegedly was committed. Give if applicable. Unrestrained passion or ungovernable temper is not insanity, even though the normal judgment of the person is be overcome by passion or temper. Give if applicable. If the evidence establishes that the defendant had been adjudged insane by a court, and has not been judicially restored to legal sanity, then you should assume the defendant was insane at the time of commission of the alleged crime, unless the evidence convinces you otherwise. If you find that (defendant) committed the crime but have a reasonable doubt that [he] [she] was sane at that time you find by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant was insane, then you should find [him] [her] not guilty by reason of insanity. If your verdict is that the defendant is not guilty by reason of insanity because insane, that does not necessarily mean [he] [she] will be released from custody. I must conduct further proceedings to determine if the defendant should be committed to a mental hospital, or given other outpatient treatment or released.