People v. Ramsey
Michigan Supreme Court
375 N.W.2d 297 (1985)
Relevant factsFree
Bruce Ramsey (defendant) choked and stabbed his wife 32 times, believing he was freeing her from a demon. Charged with first-degree murder, he raised an insanity defense and challenged Michigan's "guilty but mentally ill" statute as unconstitutional; the court rejected the challenge. Psychiatric experts disagreed on whether Ramsey was mentally ill or legally insane. He was found guilty of second-degree murder, the court of appeals affirmed, and the Michigan Supreme Court granted review.
IssueFree
Whether, in Michigan, a verdict of guilty but mentally ill violates a defendant's right to due process of law.