Teacher Killer Claims Mental Illness

Photo Source: ABC
A teenager, Philip Chism, raped and killed his math teacher in 2013, but he is saying that it was his mental illness that pushed him to do it. Chism was 14 at the time. He plead not guilty, and he is currently being tried as an adult. Chism's attorney said that he has suffered from mental illness since he was 10, and that he should not be held criminally responsible.

The prosecutors said that he arrived at school that day with a box cutter, gloves, a mask, and a hooded sweatshirt inside his backpack. Video footage of the event shows the teacher go into the bathroom at the end of the day shortly followed by Chism. Eleven minutes later, Chism exits and the teacher does not.

Chism's mother reported him missing because he didn't return, and the police found him on the side of the road. They searched his backpack and found the teacher's wallet and a bloody box cutter.

Chism has already gone under a mental examination and was found competent enough to stand trial.

Comments from Allen:
Different jurisdictions handle the insanity defense differently.  In Idaho, there is no insanity defense.  However, a person's mental illness or intoxication can interfere with a defendant's ability to form the intent to commit a specific crime.

In the instance of Chism, if the Idaho standard applied, he would have virtually no chance of successfully using his mental state as a defense.  The premeditation, combined with the specific act of rape, demonstrate he did not believe he was actually so crazy he did not have the intent to commit a crime.

Under Massachusetts law, a defendant must be acquitted if the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant was criminally responsible at the time of the crime. A defendant is not criminally responsible if, because of a major mental illness, the defendant did not appreciate what he was doing was wrong or that because of the mental illness he could not control his actions.
 While Chism can raise that defense in Massachusetts, and he may have a psychiatrist (among others) testify that he either did not know rape and murder was wrong, or that he could not control his impulse to rape and murder his math teacher, juries rarely accept this as an excuse for what happened in this case.  That said, the defense absolutely must put that defense in front of the jury; the defendant certainly has nothing to lose in trying it.

A defendant's mental health is more often successful in arguing for a more lenient sentence.  Think of it this way:  the jury is making a determination whether it is just to excuse rape and murder of a young woman because a defendant has mental health issues; probably not going to happen.  However, the judge is making a determination whether this guilty man did his horrible act because he was sick or because he was just evil.  That's the difference.

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Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen handles cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.

Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.

Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents,truck accidents, auto accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.

Allen Browning is an Idaho Falls attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI), traffic violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, battery and assault charges, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.



Allen is able to provide his services if the incident occurs in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.    
Sources for more information:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/trial-teenager-charged-teachers-death-begin-35224604

http://www.courtchatter.com/#!Surveillance-Footage-Shows-Philip-Chism-Following-Colleen-Ritzer/c1oiw/564ccdfa0cf2780ba44519a4

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