John,angry because he was fired from his job,returns to the workplace with several loaded firearms.He shoots his former boss and a dozen co-workers and customers,killing six people.He is arrested and charged with capital murder.At trial,John raises the defense of insanity,claiming "I must have been crazy.No one in their right mind would shoot that many innocent people." John's use of the insanity defense will likely be successful.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While John's actions may be seen as irrational and abnormal, the legal standard for insanity is much narrower. In order to successfully use the insanity defense, John would have to prove that he did not know the nature and quality of his actions or that he did not understand that his actions were wrong at the time he committed them. Simply claiming that he must have been crazy is not enough to meet this standard.

John,angry Because He Was Fired from His Job,returns to the Workplace