LogFAQs > #956864714

If this person understood that the act was illegal, then basically the answer is yes, he is competent to stand trial

It gets a little more complicated than that, but thats the answer basically. Even if you didnt understand that you were breaking a law, you can be charged with a crime. It gets very case-by-case & in some instances they have to leave it up to a jury to decide. Then it gets taken before another jury. And reviewed. And reviewed again. And so on and so forth. Blah.

I think some areas of the US are extraordinarily strict on the insanity plea too. Like, they get charged & committed instead of simply being committed & declared innocent. No Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity ~ just guilty & insane. Something like that. Idk, its been awhile since Ive read about it. Id be surprised if this person walked, on a number of level.