Ian Murray wrote:
> [clip]
> D Carrol
> ===========
>
> "In recent years several neurological conditions have been introduced
> into criminal trials as part ofthe insanity defense
The criminal justice system in this & most nations is itself something of a crime, and the "insanity plea" is part of the patchwork of amendments to make the unworkable a little less unworkable. In a reasonaly rational criminal justice system psychiatry/neurology etc. would probably not be either necessary or desirable.
But whatever the virtues or vices of psychiatric testimony in criminal cases, note that it does focus on the unique person at trial, not on some such pointless category as "terrorists" or "masterminds" in the abstract. It may or may not be sensible to bring neurology and/or psychology to bear on the Hinckley case; it is clearly absurd to bring such considerations to bear in considering the actions of a U.S. Secretary of State.
Carrol