People v. Bruce Ramsey

Defendant was charged with the first-degree murder of his wife. MCL 750.316; MSA 28.548. Defendant presented an insanity defense at his bench trial. The trial court found him guilty of second-degree murder, MCL 750.317; MSA 28.549, but mentally ill, MCL 768.36; MSA 28.1059. Defendant appeals.

Evidence presented at trial indicates that defendant stabbed his wife to death, and then attempted suicide by stabbing himself three times. From defendant’s testimony and corroborating evidence it could be inferred that defendant believed his wife was possessed by a demon and that, when he stabbed her, he…