In this example, Ira would be convicted of irresistible impulse. Under the irresistible impulse test, it must be proven that the defendant knew that his or her actions were illegal and as a result of a mental illness or disease, they cannot control their behavior (Hall, 2015). Both of these burdens were proven by a psychiatrist during their testimony. The reason why Ira would not be convicted using the M’Naughten Test is because Ira knew that what he was doing was wrong and illegal. Under the M’Naughten Test, the defendant must prove that he or she did not know that their act was wrong.
