Lori Barcroft v. State of Indiana

Massa, Justice.

The jurisprudence of the insanity defense in Indiana-spanning nearly two centuries-is deeply rooted in the Anglo-American legal tradition, marked by periodic policy changes to the standards for evaluating criminal responsibility. Throughout this evolution, one principle stands the test of time: Whether the defendant meets the standards of insanity is a question for the trier of fact, that "sole sentinel in the protection of both the rights of the accused and the welfare of society." Hill v. State , 252 Ind. 601 , 616-17, 251 N.E.2d 429 , 438 (1969). And in rendering its…