INSANITY DEFENSE: Killer's mental illness recedes

[Baba Louie]

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Jun-21-Tue-2005/news/26754753.html

A slaying suspect found not guilty by reason of insanity nine months ago could be released from state custody soon because doctors say he is no longer mentally ill.

Michael Kane's release could come as early as July.

"They (doctors) have come to the opinion he is not mentally ill anymore," said Clark County Deputy Public Defender Scott Coffee, who is Kane's defense attorney. "It may mean that he gets released."

Kane was under the influence of LSD when he plunged a dagger into the chest of 23-year-old John Trowbridge in 2001.

In a legal rarity for Nevada, a jury found Kane not guilty by reason of insanity in September.
...
After an extensive examination by doctors at Lakes Crossing, Coffee said, doctors determined recently that Michael Kane is no longer mentally ill. That determination was made after Michael Kane was removed from his medications.

"Maybe what has happened is the effects of the drug have worn off," Coffee said. "Sometimes things work out better than expected, and Michael's treatment went better than anyone could have ever anticipated."
...
end_snip

Do some acid, stab a friend to death, serve a year or two (maybe three), get some meds for help, act a little wierd (because of the meds???), quit taking the meds, then, presto chango, you're normal, no longer insane and a free man... What in the world is the world coming to?

 

[one-shot-one]

i have

lots of problems with the "inocent" by insanity defense, but this is real bad unless you can prove to me that he was insane before he willing took acid!

 

[garyk/nm]

It's a miracle!

Bullsquat!
NGBROI should carry a mandatory committment equal to the amount of time which would have been served had the offendor not been "insane".

 

[dolanp]

I agree I think the punishment should be exactly the same as if they were not found 'insane' except they have to serve their time in a mental hospital/prison facility.

Insanity shouldn't even be a 'defense'. I mean, if the person is so damn insane that they can't control themselves that's an even better reason to lock them up FOREVER.

 

[SteveS]

My understanding is that insanity means that the person lacks the capacity for the intent of the crime and therefore can't be found guilty. It does not mean they are mentally ill. Prisons are full of mentally ill people.

I worked in a home for the mentally ill and there was a guy that was found NGRI. He received a civil committment and will likely spend the rest of life in some type of facility. I am not sure about other states, but NGRI is very rare in Michigan and even if you are found insane, you are likely to spend the rest of your life institutionalized.

 

[para.2]

These "doctors" need to write this case up and submit it to the Nobel Prize committee. A 9 month "cure " for insanity!!!! :banghead: