Opinion ID: 1761289
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Jury Charge on Insanity

Text: Defendant argues that the trial court erred in charging jurors at the guilt phase that a mental defect or disease falling short of insanity was not relevant to determining specific intent. The trial court charged the jury as follows: In determining the question of sanity or insanity of the defendant at the time of the commission of the offense, you must consider all of the evidence bearing on the defendant's mental condition, including the testimony of experts and other witnesses, and the conduct and actions of the defendant. In considering the defense of insanity, it should be made clear that a mental defect or disorder, which falls short of legal insanity, is not relevant to determining the issue of specific intent. In other words, evidence of a mental defect or disorder which does not rise to the level of actual, legal insanity cannot be used by the jury to negate the offender's specific intent. Defendant claims that the total exclusion on specific intent of all evidence concerning a defendant's mental diseases, defects, and capacities is wholly arbitrary, illogical, and unreasonable and violates the defendant's rights to present a defense, not to be convicted other than by due process of law and by proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This Court has consistently held that a mental defect, disorder or condition short of insanity cannot serve to negate specific intent and reduce the grade of the offense. State v. Deboue, 552 So.2d 355 (La.1989); State v. Lecompte, 371 So.2d 239, 244-245 (La.1978); State v. Weber, 364 So.2d 952, 956 (La.1978); State v. Berry, supra at 825; State v. Rideau, 249 La. 1111, 193 So.2d 264, 271 (1966), cert. denied, 389 U.S. 861, 88 S.Ct. 113, 19 L.Ed.2d 128 (1967). Accordingly, the jury was correctly charged. Assignment of Error No. XI lacks merit.