Schuman M. Rivers v. United States

Appellant was convicted of violating the federal narcotic laws, 26 U.S.C. § 4704(a) and 21 U.S.C. § 174. His defense was insanity.

Testimony at the trial tended to prove that appellant was a drug addict who also suffered from a mental disease related to the commission of the offenses by reason of his addiction. But there was also significant testimony that he was not suffering from a mental disease related to the offenses. Thus, the issue of insanity was for the jury to decide. Appellant’s contention that his motion for acquittal on the ground of insanity-should have been granted must be…