>For example, think of a court of law. Person A kills person B because A
>thinks B is an alien in league with the devil. Person A carefully reasoned
>the act through to execution, however in court he is deemed to be irrational
>and sent to a mental institution.
It appears that I spoke too soon. This just came across the wire.
JUDGE ACQUITS INDIAN WHO KILLED MAN HE SAID WAS EVIL SPIRIT
06/01/97
GORE BAY -- A 19-year-old Indian was acquitted of manslaughter Thursday
by a judge who accepted testimony that the slain man was believed to be
an evil spirit called the Bearwalker.
Defendant Leon Jacko said he was acting in self-defense against the
Bearwalker when he fatally bludgeoned Ron Thompson with a ceremonial
walrus bone in 1995.
"I accept the evidence of native spirituality as being a sincerely held
belief," Ontario Court Judge Richard Trainor said. "The accused was aware
of the victim's propensity for violence, including his reputation for
having powers as a bearwalker."
-- David McFadzean david@lucifer.com Memetic Engineer http://www.lucifer.com/~david/ Church of Virus http://www.lucifer.com/virus/