VanVoorhis v. State

Pope, Presiding Judge.

Tiffany VanVoorhis was charged with aggravated assault for stabbing her mother with a knife. The case was tried before a judge sitting without a jury. At the bench trial VanVoorhis raised the defense that, under OCGA § 16-3-3, she should be found not guilty because she stabbed her mother due to a delusional compulsion. The judge rejected VanVoorhis’ delusional compulsion defense and found her guilty of aggravated assault but mentally ill. VanVoorhis appeals, arguing that the verdict is not supported by sufficient evidence. VanVoorhis’ argument is without merit.

“In…