New era founder says: God made him do it; dropping insanity defense, he uses psychiatric excuse to try to negate mens rea

Article Abstract:

Foundation for New Era Philanthrophy founder John G. Bennett, Jr, has dropped the insanity defense and decided to use religion as an unusual psychiatric defense in his federal fraud trial. Bennett bases his defense on the theory that brain damage from an automobile accident and a personality disorder enabled him to believe he was completing a mission for God and that his actions were not wrong. Psychiatric evidence is seldom used in an attempt to negate mens rea. It was last used unsuccessfully in US v. Pohlot a decade ago.

Defense (Criminal procedure), Criminal intent, Bennett, John G., Jr.

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Corporate cooperation

Article Abstract:

Govt prosecutors should be barred in cases of white-collar crime from using their power to force the corporation to not pay a former executive's legal expenses in exchange for a cooperation agreement. Cooperation is gaining popularity as a way for companies to avoid fines or worse, and it may legitimately require the company to share information in the investigation. However, pressure to abandon the executive in question may violate state law, the employee's contractual rights, and due process.

Analysis, Criminal procedure, White collar crimes, White collar crime

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