People v. Langworthy

Facts

Defendant Lundy was found guilty of three counts of sexual conduct, arising from the October 30th, 1978 rape of his adult system. At Lundy’s trial, the major issue centered on Lundy’s mental state at the time of the commission of the offense. His defense was predicated upon expert testimony regarding his mental state as well as evidence that he had been sniffing glue and drinking alcohol immediately prior to the crime. The trial court rejected Lundy’s insanity defense and intoxication defense and held that he had the general intent to commit the crime. The Court of Appeals affirmed.

Defendant Langworthy was convicted of second-degree murder. The trial judge found that on the night of November 5th, 1976, the defendant and his friends were together indulging in alcohol and drugs in a house in Ypsilanti. The victim, William Wedge, was intoxicated and made certain comments which irritated defendant. Wedge then passed out and the defendant shot him. The trial judge determined that the defendant was not mentally ill or legally insane at the time of the commission of the crime. The trial court found that he had a conscious general intent to commit the crime but that his judgment and appreciation of the consequence of his act was grossly impaired as the result of the drugs and alcohol. The Court of Appeals affirmed.