Ex Parte Turner

In September of 1982, Joseph Turner was convicted for the murder of his neighbor. His sentence was life imprisonment.

At trial, Turner entered a plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. After a jury verdict of guilty, judgment was entered thereon. Turner filed a motion for new trial, contending proof of insanity was overwhelming and uncontroverted. That motion was denied. On appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeals, the trial court's judgment was affirmed. We granted certiorari in order to review the appellate court's decision.

I

We begin by stating the general rules of law with…