PSY375 – Forensic Psychology, The Insanity Defense

PSY375 – Forensic Psychology, The Insanity Defense

Subject: General Questions    / General General Questions
Question

M3D1: THE INSANITY DEFENSE

PSY375: Forensic Psychology

250 words

According to Wrightsman, Nietzel, and Furtune (1994), less than 1% of all defendants who attempt the insanity defense are successful (as cited in Kitaeff, 2011). For this discussion question, you are to research a relatively recent, highly publicized criminal case in which this defense was used (from a source other than your textbook).

Once you have researched and found a case that interests you, respond to the following as they relate to the insanity defense:

• Summarize the case, the defendant’s affirmative defense, and the outcome of the case; guilty or Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI). Do you think the verdict was appropriate? Why or why not? Make sure to use scholarly references and in-text citations as you develop your responses.