I would have to look up the textbook definition, but the lay version of "insanity" that is heard quite often is "insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result".
When in court, one has to look to the law for its definition of insanity. That definition is very, very narrow. In brief: "Did the person know what they were doing when they did it?" If the answer is "yes," then they are not insane no matter what a clinician says about the number of neuroses or psychoses they might have.
It is enough that the person know the act they were committing at the time and its consequences. That if they shot, stabbed, strangled a person that person would most likely die. No matter who they allege told them to do it, "God, their dog, the Spynx." It is enough that they had enough presence of mind to know they were assaulting with possible lethal consequences.
The textbooks are the law books, the appellate court decisions in each state. One state, Michigan, as I recall, has made a distinction in its convictions; "Guilty, but insane." In those cases the person is incarcerated in a mental institution for the rest of their life. Or, until, they recover their sanity.
I would like to add
crime passionel to the mix because IMO that is temporary insanity
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Don't think that it defines this guy... He planned and carried this out knowing full well what he was doing every step of the way.
Pure Islamic Terrorism... Nothing more, nothing less.
Any attempt to find excuses is just PC enabling.
FW
The moment he switched on the laser device that helped his aim, it became premeditated murder. Planning negates the question of sanity. (as defined above)
It does appear now that he is what is called a "Home grown terrorist".
Are we considering the question of what sanity is or are we discussing the Fort Worth shooter?
I'll venture that sanity means realization that I am in control of my emotions, they are not in control of me.
And I also feel that a sane person has enough respect for life, their own or others, that they do not consider taking life as a viable solution to any problem.
Human life that is. It is necessary to eat.
