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Lawmaker Wants To Toughen Insanity Law

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Nov 22, 2009 3:04 pm US/Eastern

Lawmaker Wants To Toughen Insanity Law

BOSTON (AP) ―

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Massachusetts lawmaker is seeking changes in the state's insanity laws in court proceedings.

State Rep. Lew Evangelidis of Holden wants to eliminate "not guilty by reason of insanity" as a verdict option in murder cases and replace it with "guilty, but insane."

Murder defendants convicted under the insanity defense would have to spend at least 10 years in a secure mental health facility. That would be followed by annual reviews to determine whether they continue to pose a danger.

Currently, someone acquitted by reason of insanity can only be committed to Bridgewater State Hospital for six months, then re-committed in one-year increments following evaluations.

Evangelidis plans to file the bill Wednesday.

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