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To: Presbyterian Reporter

The law in all 49 other states is different. In every state except Massachusetts, the defense must prove insanity beyond a reasonable doubt

In Massachusetts, the state must prove sanity beyond a reasonable doubt.


12 posted on 09/28/2026 7:10:47 AM PDT by Jim Noble (Assez de mensonges et des phrases)
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To: Jim Noble

It’s logically incoherent. In CA for example, the defense has the burden of proof on all affirmative defenses, but the standard of proof is the preponderance of the evidence so a bona fide defense is relatively easy to prove. There’s no logical reason to treat insanity differently


14 posted on 09/28/2026 8:18:00 AM PDT by j.havenfarm (25 years on Free Republic, 12/10/25! More than 12,750 replies and still not shutting up!)
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