United States v. Williams

Woodrow Williams (defendant) drank heavily and took barbiturates and LSD over roughly a day before handing a bank teller a note reading "This is a stickup" and taking $4,727. Bank employees who interacted with him beforehand noticed he smelled of alcohol and had red, sleepy eyes, but did not observe unusual walking and found his speech only slightly slurred. At trial, Williams argued his intoxication negated the specific intent required for robbery; a defense psychiatrist testified his judgment and self-control were significantly impaired, while a prosecution psychiatrist testified he likely could not conform his conduct to the law but offered no opinion on whether he could specifically intend to rob the bank. The trial court found him guilty, and he appealed.