State v. Caddell
North Carolina Supreme Court
215 S.E.2d 348 (1975)
- Written by Craig Conway, LLM
Facts
Willis Tony Caddell (defendant) forced a 14-year-old girl into his car while she was standing in her driveway and then drove her to a wooded area where he attempted to have sexual intercourse with her, but then ran away. Caddell, charged with kidnapping, pled not guilty by reason of insanity. At trial, Caddell testified that he could not remember anything that happened on the day of the incident. Further, a psychiatrist testified that Caddell had been diagnosed as having a “sociopathic personality and anti-social reaction” resulting in “meanness” and “extreme aggressiveness” towards others. The trial court instructed the jury that Caddell could avoid criminal culpability if he was “completely unconscious” at the time of the offense, but that Caddell was not required to prove his unconsciousness. Caddell was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Caddell appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Lake, J.)
Concurrence
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