Court Opinion

ID: 9716483
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 06:41:29.445286+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:45.918758
License: Public Domain

Mr. JUSTICE GEORGE J. MORAN, dissenting: In my opinion the trial court erred in granting the State’s motion to strike the defendant’s affirmative defense of. insanity at the close of aU the evidence. The evidence revealed that the defendant suffered from severe head injuries, a long history of adjustment problems and an inability to deal with stress. The defendant’s father told of a prior instance when the defendant’s conduct was irrational and uncontroUable. The only expert witness said that at the time of the crime the defendant was unable in any way to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law. Defendant’s conduct during the commission of the crime was irrational. There was a sufficient evidentiary basis for a jury to find the defendant insane at the time of the commission of the crime in question and therefore the trial court erred in removing this issue from the jury’s consideration. I would reverse and remand for a new trial.