The idea that a person who can't understand the crime they've committed is wrong lets them off the hook from culpability for their actions is a longstanding pillar of Western criminal law. Learn about some of the prominent and overlooked cases where the accused has plead insanity in this episode of Stuff You Should Know.
Join Josh and Chuck as they dive into the fascinating and complex world of the insanity defense, exploring how the legal system has grappled with mental illness in criminal cases throughout history. They trace the evolution from England's 16th-century "wild beast test" through famous cases like Daniel M'Naghten's assassination attempt on a British Prime Minister, all the way to modern controversies like John Hinckley Jr.'s attempted assassination of President Reagan. The hosts examine different legal standards, share compelling case studies of both successful and failed insanity pleas, and reveal why this defense is far rarer and more difficult to prove than most people think.
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