Insanity Defense

Killers are born among sheep, because no one will ever suspect them from arising. The definition of insanity is, A defense for criminal liability that asserts a lack of criminal responsibility due to mental instability (Gaines & Miller p. 81). Throughout history there have been cases, where people have used the insanity defense to explain their actions. Pleading insanity is difficult to accomplish, but this does not stop people from using this defense. There have been a couple of cases that use the insanity defense, but they were found to be sane at the time the crime was committed. On the other hand there have been several cases that have used the insanity defense, and were found to be mentally unstable. Anyone can say that their actions should
The principles include if they do not understand the consequences of their conduct, can not tell if their conduct is wrong, and is not able to control their conduct (Gaines & Miller p. 81). To prove insanity there are a series of test that can be done, in order to classify someone as insane. Those test include include the M’Naghten rule, the Substantial- Capacity test, and the Irresistible-impulse test. Criminals can also be found guilty, but mentally ill. The insanity defense is rarely used, because it is hard to prove that someone is actually insane. It also can come down to the jury, to decide whether or not the defendant is actually mentally ill(Gaines & Miller p. 82). There have been cases where people use the insanity defense, because of their mental illness. Some cases that used the insanity defense and were successful were Eddie Routh, and Andrea Yates. The insanity defense did not work for Andrew Goldstein, Jonathan
Those who were able to successfully use the insanity defense, were sentenced to a mental hospital rather than prison. Which is why some attorneys push for the insanity defense, for their clients. They see it as the easy way out, because being sent to a mental institution is more convenient than prison. In one particular case the suspect was sentenced, but then after revaluation was considered insane. This case deals with a woman who drowned her five kids in her bathtub. This woman is called, Andrea Yates, and has a history of postpartum depression and psychosis. Postpartum depression, is a clinical depression related to pregnancy and childbirth, which occurs within the first 4 years after delivery(WebMD. Understanding Postpartum Depression). Psychosis is a mental disorder where people lose touch with reality and see, hear, or believe things that aren’t real. Yates was originally charged with first degree murder, but after a couple of years was found not guilty by reason of insanity. She was sentenced to North Texas State Hospital. She was originally sentenced to life in prison with eligibility of parole(BIO/People/Andrea Yates, but no one ever serves their entire sentence. Yates only served four years behind bars, until a court reviewed her case. Although Yates could of had parole in about 40 years, inmates usually leave before their time is over. Those that are sent to mental