State v. Smith

396 A.2d 126 (Vt. 1978)

Free access to 20,000 Casebriefs

Facts

Smith (D) raped a babysitter and then killed the boy she had been babysitting. D had been treated for personality disorders in the past. The State (P) successfully moved for a mental examination prior to the trial. D was prosecuted, and after presentation of evidence at the trial the court instructed the jury on the elements of the insanity defense. D requested an instruction on diminished capacity. P objected, claiming that diminished capacity applied only to the use of intoxicants. The trial court refused the instruction on diminished capacity. D was convicted. D appealed.

Nature Of The Case

This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Issues

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

Holding & Decision

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal Analysis

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.

© 2007-2025 ABN Study Partner

© 2025 Casebriefsco.com. All Rights Reserved.