Two types of insanity defense are applicable In Georgia. The first one is the incapacity to differentiate between right and wrong while the other is what is usually known as the delusional compulsion. Delusion compulsion occur when a person has a mental disorder that makes them him/her believe in something that if true could justify his/her actions. For a mental disorder or delusional compulsion to be considered as an insanity defense, several elements must be fulfilled. It must prove that suspect did not only commit the alleged crime under a mental disorder but also the alleged crime was connected to the suspect’s delusion. Additionally, the alleged delusion must be true and justifies that act that was committed.
Based on the evidence collected against Mr. Dents it indicates that he had premeditated the crime. Mr. Dent’s case can be ruled using insanity defenses because the journals entries that show the purchases of the rags, ropes, and a sharp hunting knife which were to be used to fulfill his destiny. Additionally, the journal entries comprise of references made to God, aliens and the end of the world. The suspect started making entries in the journal six months before the incident (Zywien, 2007). Moreover, the data entries had stopped on October 17th the day-night that the victim was murdered.
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During the arrests, he was extremely irrational and agitated, and he started shouting that the end of the world was coming and the aliens were working on the police force. This proves that Mr. Dents does indeed have mental problems that might have motivated him to commit the offense (Zywien, 2007). His delusion about God, aliens and the world ending proves that he was not in his right state of mind. In conclusion, the evidence acquired against Mr. Dents is connected to his delusions that contributed to the murder of his girlfriend hence the insanity defense is very much applicable in this case.
Reference
Zywien, S. (2007). Executing the Insane: A Look at Death Penalty Schemes in Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas. Suffolk J. Trial & App. Adv. , 12, 93-203.
