PSYC 162 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Major Depressive Disorder, John And Lorena Bobbitt, Arson
Document Summary
Competence to stand trial midterm may 21. Insanity pertains to the defendant"s mental state at the time the offense occurs. The question is whether a defendant was legally insane, and therefore not responsible, at the time his crime was committed. Competence refers to the defendant"s mental abilities at the time of the proceeding. Mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality cannot tell right from wrong is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior. Based on evaluations by forensic mental health professionals. In 1843, englishman daniel mcnaughton (a deranged woodcutter) shot and killed the secretary of the british prime minister, believing that the prime minister was conspiring against him (paranoid delusions). The court acquitted mcnaughton by reason of insanity, and he was confined to a mental institution for the remaining 22 years of his life.
