Leland v. Oregon

Appellant was charged with murder in the first degree. He pleaded not guilty and gave notice of his intention to prove insanity. Upon trial in the Circuit Court of *792Multnomah County, Oregon, he was found guilty by a jury. In accordance with the jury’s decision not to recommend life imprisonment, appellant received a sentence of death. The Supreme Court of Oregon affirmed. 190 Ore. 598, 227 P. 2d 785. The case is here on appeal. 28 U. S. C. § 1257 (2).

Oregon statutes required appellant to prove his insanity beyond a reasonable doubt and made a “morbid propensity” no defense.1 The principal…