State v. Abbott

In this appeal from his conviction for second degree murder, the defendant raises several issues: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to support the jury’s finding that he was sane; (2) whether the New Hampshire rule that sanity is a question of fact for the jury violates due process; and (3) whether the Trial Court {Goode, J.) erred in denying the defendant’s motion for a new trial based upon newly discovered evidence. We affirm.

On June 7, 1983, David Staples, the defendant’s roommate, was stabbed to death. Abbott telephoned the police and two hours later confessed to the crime. During…