Court Opinion

ID: 9646469
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 13:00:39.097079+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:25:59.798406
License: Public Domain

LUKOWSKY, Justice,
dissenting.
Insanity at the time of the commission of an offense is ordinarily a question of fact for the jury. However, in the evidentiary fraternal twin of this case we held that a jury which returned a verdict of guilty arbitrarily disregarded substantial evidence of insanity and that such a verdict must be set aside as flagrantly against the evidence. Deegans v. Commonwealth, 228 Ky. 664, 15 S.W.2d 441 (1929).
Here as there the evidence is all one way and to the effect that the accused was insane. There is no room for reasonable men to differ. The conclusion of insanity is compelled. Any other result is arbitrary and prohibited by Ky.Const. sec. 2 (1891).
The motion for a directed verdict of acquittal should have been granted by the trial judge. State v. Brown, 36 Utah 46, 102 P. 641, 645-646 (1909). I would reverse the judgment and remand the case with directions to do so.
I am authorized to state that AKER, J., joins in this dissent.