Even people we commonly refer to as "crazy," however, can still be legally culpable for their actions, but even before that determination, a court needs to decide if the accused is even mentally competent to stand trial.
A Judge in Arizona just ruled that Jared Loughner is not competent to stand trial for the murder of several people and the shooting of Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords.
Details and updates to follow.
Update: As described by the Arizona Daily Star:
Jared Lee Loughner’s “major mental illness” leaves him so delusional and psychotic that he is incompetent to stand trial, a federal judge ruled today.--------------------------------------------
U.S. District Court Judge Larry A. Burns viewed hours of videotape of Loughner, he said, and agreed with the conclusion of the psychiatrist and psychologist who evaluated him: Loughner can’t understand the court proceedings or help his lawyers.
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Arizona Sheriff Dupnik Was Aware of Loughner’s Mental Illness, Did Nothing
ReplyDeleteCouldn't that be called culpability?
That ought to make this interesting. Does Sheriff Dipstick have any potential civil liability here?
ReplyDeleteI take it that his Social Security compensation starts next week, huh?
ReplyDelete