Jim Jacobs was involved in an altercation with Rick Stevens. It is unclear who started the
altercation. Jim was larger and stronger than Rick. As the altercation became more heated, Jim
hit Rick over the head with a bat which was near by. Rick was seriously injured, taken to the
hospital by an ambulance and ultimately he died. Jim was charged with manslaughter. Discuss
what defenses could be made by the defense team specifically, the insanity defense. Jim has a
history of mental illness. Select a state, WA, CA or Oregon and research their insanity defense
definition and then apply that definition to the fact pattern, arguing that either Jim should be not
guilty by reason of insanity or how the insanity defense should work. If Jim is found to be not
guilty by reason of insanity, what would happen to him. Then, find a case involving the insanity
defense in the state you are researching and explain what happened when the insanity defense
was plead.
Issue Spotter 2
The defense team may find some types of defense under this case, which are self-defense,
accident, inadequate intent, diminished capacity, and insanity. Firstly, self-defense could be
argued that Jim acted in self-defense, believing that Rick was about to attack him in this case.
This argument states that Jim was only acting in self-defense and that the altercation was started
by Rick. The defense team must prove that Jim was in a situation where he felt his life was in
danger and that he had to defend himself against Rick. Secondly, accident, this defense could
argue that the altercation was an accident and that Jim did not intend to cause serious bodily
harm or death. Finally, the insanity defense claims that Jim was not mentally capable at the time
of the conflict and thus could not be held responsible for his behavior.
Under WA state, the insanity defense is defined as "a defendant is not responsible for
criminal conduct if, at the time of such conduct as a result of mental disease or defect, he lacked
