Insanity defense coming?
Mohammed Taheri-Azar was committed to Dorothea Dix state mental hospital today, The News & Observer reports.
The man charged with running down UNC students on campus last year irritated Judge Carl Fox with an outburt during an appearance in Orange County Superior Court today, according to the N&O account:
"What the [expletive] is this [expletive]?" he asked.
Turning to those in the courtroom, he said, "Everybody, I hate all Americans and all Jews."
"Death to Israel," he added.
Taheri-Azar's attorney "described his client as a very mentally disturbed man."
The Iranian-born UNC graduate seemed very deliberate and methodical in his actions of March 3, 2006, and in previous statements to the media.
He's charged with nine counts of attempted murder. If he was "insane" at the time, however, he could be found not guilty.
Comments (2)
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Maybe the courts can come up with some new term, like religious insanity or something. Jerry Falwell could plea it whenever he goes to far.
It could become the new alcoholism.
Posted on March 5, 2007 2:49 PM
Religious insanity would even explain wars, terrorism and hate crimes.
Posted on March 5, 2007 3:01 PM