People v. Carpenter

Defendant presented evidence at his bench trial that, although not legally insane, he lacked the mental capacity to form the specific intent required for the crimes of first-degree home invasion, MCL 750.110a(2), and felonious assault, MCL 750.82. The trial court found defendant guilty of both offenses, and the Court of Appeals affirmed.

We originally granted leave to consider whether the lower courts properly determined that it was defendant’s burden to establish his diminished capacity defense by a preponderance of the evidence under *226MCL 768.21a. However, we are now persuaded by the…