State v. Hall

Facts

The defendant picked up a hitchhiker, Gilford Eugene Meacham, in Oregon and killed him. A few days later, the defendant turned himself in and voluntarily disclosed that he shot Meacham. The State argued that the homicide was a cold-blooded murder by defendant in the course of robbing Meacham. According to the State, after defendant had passed Des Moines, Iowa, he shot Meacham in the head, robbed him of $208, and dumped his body on the side of the road.

The defendant’s version of events differed. He testified that casual acquaintances in California gave him a pill and told him it was a “little sunshine” and would make him feel “groovy.” He met Meacham in Oregon and they made an arrangement to travel east. Meacham had a pistol. Defendant drove all the way to Iowa without rest and was exhausted. He testified he took the pill at Des Moines,  it made him feel funny, and the road turned different colors and pulsated. Meacham was sleeping on the passenger side. Defendant testified he heard strange noises from Meacham’s throat, like growling. Meacham’s face grew and his nose got long, and his head turned into a dog like the one defendant’s stepfather had shot. Defendant testified he got scared, picked up Meacham’s gun, and shot him three times. Defendant stated he did not remember much that happened for awhile. He testified he had periods thinking Meacham was human and periods thinking Meacham was a dog. He drove back to the highway and traveled awhile, then turned off on a sideroad and removed Meacham’s body from the car.

Defendant testified further that he continued to drive but then returned to see if Meacham was alive. He kicked something in the road, saw it was Meacham’s billfold, and took it. He also threw away the gun.

The defendant was charged with murder. Defendant requested an instruction on insanity as a complete defense, tailored to include temporary insanity induced by drugs. The trial court refused it, and he was convicted.