Joseph Watson v. Dale C. Cameron, Superintendent, St. Elizabeths Hospital

BURGER, Circuit Judge.

Appellant was indicted for second degree murder October 10, 1960, and shortly thereafter was committed to St. Eliz-abeths Hospital for psychiatric observation. Found competent to stand trial, he was tried in April, 1961, on a reduced charge of manslaughter. A verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity led to his commitment in St. Elizabeths Hospital under § 24-301, D.C.Code Ann. (1961).

In March, 1962, he sought release by way of habeas corpus and in April the petition was dismissed after hearing. The evidence at the hearing was appellant’s own testimony which included…