A New Approach to Insanity Acquittee Recidivism: Redefining the Class of Truly Responsible Recidivists

Abstract

After receiving verdicts of not guilty by reason of insanity, John McGee and Ronald Manien were committed to Michigan mental hos pitals.1 The center for forensic psychiatry later determined that McGee and Manien were "no longer mentally ill and dangerous" and released them.2 Shortly after being released, McGee kicked his wife to death3 and Manien raped two women.4 The public outcry that followed these tragic events prompted the Michigan legislature to statutorily authorize the "guilty but mentally ill" (GBMI) verdict in cases where a defendant raises the insanity de fense. The verdict permits the jury to find that although the defen dant is mentally ill, she is not legally insane, and she may be given a full criminal sentence. A defendant who receives a GBMI verdict must