State v. Strasburg

1910 Washington Supreme Court case

Insanity defense
Right to jury trial
Due process
Legislation

State v. Strasburg, 110 P. 1020 (Wash. 1910), was a case decided by the Washington Supreme Court that held that a statute eliminating the insanity defense was unconstitutional. The court likened the exclusion of evidence of insanity to a denial of trial by jury.^[1]

Martin Strasburg, described as "an unknown and penniless stranger", was convicted of assault after shooting Otto Peeck in a saloon in Seattle. Lawyers saw the Strasburg case as an opportunity to have the Washington law that forbade insanity defenses declared unconstitutional.^[2] The effect of the Supreme Court declaring the law unconstitutional was said to be expected to reverse the convictions of "scores" of people.^[3]

References

^ Bonnie, R.J. et al. Criminal Law, Second Edition. Foundation Press, New York: 2004, p. 623
^ "May Knock Out Insanity Law". Tacoma Times. Vol. 7, no. 141. UPI. June 2, 1910. p. 8. Retrieved January 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Holds Insanity May Be Defense in Criminal Case". Oregon Daily Journal. Vol. 9, no. 163. UPI. September 12, 1910. p. 1. Retrieved January 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.