The successful defense of “not guilty by reason of insanity” is rare. However, sometimes the defendant is truly suffering from a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, and doesn’t understand that their actions were wrong. When a defendant is found to be insane at the time that the crime occurred, they can’t be unfairly punished for their crimes. Instead, treatment and observational evaluations are necessary.
Javier Benitez Jr. was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2011 murder of Cynthia Ann Olivarez and the stabbing of her husband. Octavio Olivarez gave Benitez a ride to his home before being stabbed by the defendant. When Cynthia Olivarez knocked on Benitez’s front door, he shot and killed her with a shotgun through an open
Javier Benitez Jr. was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2011 murder of Cynthia Ann Olivarez and the stabbing of her husband. Octavio Olivarez gave Benitez a ride to his home before being stabbed by the defendant. When Cynthia Olivarez knocked on Benitez’s front door, he shot and killed her with a shotgun through an open