Shannon v. United States
United States Supreme Court
512 U.S. 573 (1994)

- Written by Richard Lavigne, JD
Facts
Shannon (defendant) was tried in federal court for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon after he shot himself in the chest in the presence of a police detective. Shannon raised the affirmative defense of insanity and asked the court to deliver a jury instruction informing that he would be involuntarily committed if the jury returned a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The court denied the requested jury instruction. The jury returned a guilty verdict and Shannon appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Thomas, J.)
Dissent (Stevens, J.)
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