State v. LaCroix

OPINION

Chief Justice WILLIAMS, for the Court.

After waiving a jury trial, the defendant, Joseph M. LaCroix (defendant), was tried and convicted in Superior Court of breaking and entering a building at night with the intent to commit larceny therein, in violation of G.L.1956 § 11-8-4. The defendant appeals his conviction, alleging that the trial justice violated his fundamental due process rights by requiring that he prove his defense of diminished capacity by means of expert testimony. This case came before the Supreme Court for oral argument on November 1, 2006, pursuant to an order directing…