Charles Guiteau

In this article, author Ronald Schouten discusses the insanity defense and its usage in the modern-day criminal justice system. He defines the insanity defense, discusses what qualifies as a mental disease or defect for the insanity defense, and how advances in neuroscience affect the insanity…

In this article from the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School, the legal definitions surrounding the insanity defense are defined. The article outlines different insanity legal tests throughout history and how they have been used in trials.

In this account, historian Douglas O. Linder recounts the events leading up to the trial of Charles Guiteau, the assassin of President James A. Garfield. Linder describes the trial itself, the sentencing, and the aftermath of the trial including his execution.

<p><span class="deck"> <span class="typestyle"> Two shots rang out in the railroad station, and the President of the United States slumped to the floor, mortally wounded</span> </span></p>

<p><span class="deck"> <span class="typestyle"> A century ago a President’s murderer went on trial for the first time in our history. The issues raised then continue to trouble us.</span> </span></p>

<p>After assassinating President Garfield, a lunatic gunman mounted an insanity defense, which the jury--and the nation--rejected, despite compelling evidence to the contrary.</p>