Pierce v. Turner

MEMORANDUM DECISION

CHRISTENSEN, District Judge.

In the contemporary setting of psychiatry, psychosis, psychology, sociology, sensualism, psychedelics and sniffing of glue, again there is under attack in this case the continued constitutional viability of the venerable M’Naghten. 1 And another old common law concept — that voluntary intoxication is no excuse for the commission of crime but may be considered only in relation to such questions as intent or motive — is within the target area.

On October 13,1964, the petitioner Ray Wayne Pierce, after conviction upon verdict of a jury, was sentenced…