State v. Wade

EXUM, Justice.

Defendant’s assignments of error raise a number of questions relating to the admissibility of evidence that he was insane at the time of the killings. We find that the trial court improperly limited testimony by a psychiatric expert concerning his examination, findings and diagnosis of defendant, and on this ground we order that defendant receive a new trial. For guidance of the court on remand, we will also discuss defendant’s assignments of error regarding exclusion of evidence of hereditary insanity and declarations by defendant to third parties as to his state of mind.

The…