State v. Novosel

The main issues in this second-degree murder case are (1) the constitutionality of RSA 651:8 and :9 which permit the grand jury to omit to indict for the reason of insanity, and in such case allow the court, after finding it to be dangerous for defendant to go at large, to commit him to the prison or the State hospital for life unless sooner released or transferred; and (2) whether, when there is a question of insanity of the defendant, the trial court has discretion to order a bifurcated trial.

Defendant in January 1975 was indicted for second-degree murder alleged to have been committed by…