[kathrynhr]

Ohio man pleads insanity in 11 deaths - CNN.com

Of course he's insane! Sane people don't run around raping and killing people. Or blowing up buildings, or setting parks on fire, etc.

I really hate that "not guilty by reason of insanity" is an option. I mean, you either had the weapon in your hand and used it, or you didn't, right?

"Guilty but with the 'crazy' stipulation, and deeply in need of psychological treatment" I'd be able to deal with, probably.

[mriff]

In this guys case, hot lead wouldn't discriminate.

[monkeypaw]

The insanity plea doesn't work nearly as much as it used to. I think it was the John Hinkley verdict that made people rethink it. Although Reagan later said he agreed that is was right in Hinkley's case.

I don't like it at all. It's basically saying if you don't know what you're doing is wrong, you get a pass. If that's the way it works, then why can't you claim you didn't know you couldn't turn right on a red? Ignorance of the law is no excuse and insanity shouldn't be either.

[craig3010]

Wirelessly posted (Bold 9000, answers to HAL)

Eh, just put him in general population & send the guards on a 30 minute break. Problem solved!

[TBOLTRAM]

Great, put him in a straight jacket and a padded cell for the rest of his life. As he has already told the world he is insane there is no need for all the court cost and circus. Lock him up now.

How long do you think he would last before he decided he was not insane?

[akosnitzky]

95% insanity defenses are lost by defendant. Very high standard to meet

[Noodle22]

I agree with the insanity plea in some cases, but it can be a grey area. It has to be severe for it to be just. Most of them don't make it with the insanity plea due to this, but some slip through.

[bold9000lakes]

i agree with the plea. some people are unable to countrol themselves. its just hard to judge