On January 20, 1843 defendant Daniel M'Naghten while in London approached Edward Drummond, who was the Prime Minister's private secretary. The defendant fired a gun into Drummond at point-blank range, causing severe injury of which Drummond died a few days days later. M'Naghten apparently suffered from psychotic delusions which he claimed made him kill. The judge instructed the jury that they had the option of finding the defendant not guilty based on his insanity.
HISTORY: The jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the ground of insanity. As a policy matter the House of Lords sought clarification on the insanity defense from the Court of Common Pleas.
ISSUE: Should an insane defendant who did not know the nature of his act, or did not
HISTORY: The jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the ground of insanity. As a policy matter the House of Lords sought clarification on the insanity defense from the Court of Common Pleas.
ISSUE: Should an insane defendant who did not know the nature of his act, or did not