borrowed words - Myths about the Insanity Plea

[plantyhamchuk]

There are many misconceptions about the insanity plea. One is that the insanity defense provides a loophole through which criminals can escape punishment for illegal acts. In reality, the insanity defense is extremely difficult to employ, even in cases of severely ill individuals. As a result, despite popular belief, the insanity defense is used in

Comments

[uglor]

"Texas law does not recognize that for someone as ill as Andrea Yates, mental illnesses can create more powerful hierarchies of right and wrong than societal law."

When I read that, the first thing I thought of was Scott Roeder, the guy who assassinated Dr George Tiller. Then I realized it could also be used to apply to people who take recreational drugs, or do a lot of other stuff that's illegal yet unpunished.

[weishaupt]

And here I thought it was as easy as putting two pencils up your nose, wearing your underwear on your head and saying "Wibble".