Court Opinion

ID: 9447344
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-03 22:32:36.586564+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:31:00.094623
License: Public Domain

FAHY, Circuit Judge
(dissenting).
A proper disposition by the court of the issue whether the accused suffered from a mental disease at the time of the alleged offense is fundamental where that issue, as here, is presented by the evidence. Accordingly, although at the trial the defense did not aptly seek a ruling by the court on this issue, separately from the issue of the relationship of such a disease, if it existed, to the actual commission of the offense,1 I think we should reach and consider the problem as presented by the evidence. We have ample *264authority to do so under Rule 52(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, which reads:
“(b) Plain Error. Plain errors or defects affecting substantial rights may be noticed although they were not brought to the attention of the court.”
See Pinkard v. United States, 99 U.S.App.D.C. 394, 240 F.2d 632; Payton v. United States, 96 U.S.App.D.C. 1, 222 F.2d 794.

. The matter was brought to the attention of the trial court on the motion for acquittal notwithstanding the verdict or, in the alternative, for a new trial.