State v. Robb

On December 21, 1973, the defendant, Harlan Robb, entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity to a charge of murder, in connection with the killing of his mother on September 21, 1972. The superior court accepted the plea, and the defendant was subsequently committed to the New Hampshire Hospital “for life until or unless earlier discharged, released, or transferred by due course of law.” RSA 651:9 (Supp. 1983).

Under the law then in effect, the defendant was not guaranteed the right to periodic review of his commitment. Later changes in statutory and case law, however, gave him that…