State v. Soltes

The defendant was charged with the crimes of assault in the second degree, assault in the third degree, threatening, disorderly conduct, breach of the peace and reckless endangerment in the first degree, and was found guilty by a jury on all charges except the last. He did not dispute the facts underlying the state’s charges, but instead relied on a defense of mental disease or defect.

At trial, the defense sought to introduce testimony by the defendant’s mother concerning genetic, family illnesses that he claimed were medically linked to his mental condition. The trial court excluded the…