State v. Massey

Defendant appeals from his conviction by a jury of manslaughter in the second degree. ORS 163.125. The only issue on appeal is whether certain evidence of the social and medical history of the defendant and the victim was erroneously excluded.

Defendant, who was 18 years of age, and the victim, a 48-year-old female, had been living together for approximately three months prior to the victim’s death. The relationship was largely platonic, with the victim and defendant assuming mother and son roles. Defendant admitted killing the victim, but claimed that he was not guilty by reason of a mental…