David Moffitt
I do not always agree with the laws surrounding someone who claims mental illness or insanity as a defense. It is not that I do not believe that mentally ill people commit crimes nor is it that I do not believe that someone can be insane and commit them, because I do. However, the rules surrounding those such defenses, in my opinion are skewed. Now, before I go any further I do not necessarily believe that the defendant in this case was mentally ill or insane. Maybe he was but I question his defense attorneys using this as a defense against the evidence found against his client. In order to be successful with a defense of insanity or mentally ill, almost ALL states, including Iowa where this case took place, the defendant must prove that they did not know the difference between right and wrong. They also have to prove that they had no concept or understanding of what the consequences of their actions, to others, or themselves could be. In my opinion, the evidence in thi...