Question

Who was the 19th century mentally ill Scotsman who attempted to assassinate the English prime minister, and whose trial established the legitimacy of the 'not guilty by reason of insanity' defense?

1) John Hinckley Jr.
2) John Wilkes Booth
3) John Bellingham
4) Daniel M'Naghten

Answer 1

Daniel M'Naghten was the Scotsman whose trial for the attempted assassination of the English prime minister established the 'not guilty by reason of insanity' defense, leading to the M'Naghten Rules in British and American law. The correct option is 4).

Step-by-step explanation:

The 19th century mentally ill Scotsman who attempted to assassinate the English prime minister and whose trial established the legitimacy of the 'not guilty by reason of insanity' defense was Daniel M'Naghten.

In 1843, M'Naghten, a woodturner from Glasgow, mistakenly killed Edward Drummond, the private secretary of then-Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel, believing Drummond to be Peel.

His trial led to the establishment of the M'Naghten Rules, which set the standard for criminal insanity in British and American law, allowing defendants to claim insanity as a defense in legal proceedings.

The case highlighted the need to understand the mental condition of defendants and their ability to discern right from wrong at the time of their crime. Option 4) is the correct one.