Court Opinion

ID: 9668552
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 02:17:58.395034+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:46.083530
License: Public Domain

Frank Holt, Justice, concurring. I concur in the affirmance. It is true that in Campbell v. State, 216 Ark. 878, 228 S.W. 2d 470 (1950), we said that “[i]t was no official concern of the jury what procedure might be followed, as to appellant, should he be found guilty because of insanity.” However, the trend in recent years definitely gives approval, by statute or case law, to the instruction offered here. 11 A.L.R. 3d 737 (1967 and Supp. 1980). The rationale is summarized in Commonwealth v. Mutina, 366 Mass. 810, 323 N.E. 2d 294 (1975): On balance then, we believe it is best to entrust jurors with a knowledge of the consequences of a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. If jurors can be entrusted with responsibility for a defendant’s life and liberty in such cases as this, they are entitled to know what protection they and their fellow citizens will have if they conscientiously apply the law to the evidence and arrive at a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity — a verdict which necessarily requires the chilling determination that the defendant is an insane killer not legally responsible for his acts. The instant case represents a classic example of the injustice which may occur when such information is withheld from the jury. The jury could have had no doubt that the defendant killed Miss Achorn. The jury also heard overwhelming persuasive evidence that the defendant was insane at the time of the killing and that, for a long time into the future, he will remain a menace to himself and society. Foremost in their minds must have been concern for the safety of the community. In the absence of an instruction from the trial judge as to the effect of a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, the jurors sought to render justice both to the defendant and to society .... Here is a classic example of the need for a proper instruction as a guideline for the jury. A previous jury could not reach a verdict. The trial proceedings here clearly indicate this jury’s concern for society and the appellant. Two of the jurors were permitted to ask questions which were pertinent and searching as to appellant’s continuing dangerousness to society, because of her illness, and the effect of continued treatment. The jury found mitigating circumstances in that her mental capacity was impaired at the time of the alleged offense. It is common knowledge that a guilty verdict means that the defendant is subject to punishment, and that a not guilty verdict means the defendant goes free. It is not common knowledge that a not guilty verdict by reason of insanity does not necessarily mean freedom. Section 41-612 empowers the trial court, on a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity, to commit the defendant to the State Hospital to be placed in an appropriate institution or to order the defendant discharged or released on such conditions as the court deems appropriate. In other words, an acquittal does not necessarily mean freedom. On this subject it appears it is for our legislature to determine whether an instruction, properly stating the law, should be given upon request.