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Simple English definitions for legal terms

People v. William Freeman (1847)

Read a random definition: causa matrimonii praelocuti

A quick definition of People v. William Freeman (1847) :

People v. William Freeman (1847) was a court case where a man named William Freeman was accused of murdering four people. His lawyer argued that Freeman was not responsible for his actions because he had a mental illness. However, the jury did not believe this and found Freeman guilty. Later, a higher court said that even if a defendant is found competent to stand trial, they can still argue that they were insane at the time of the crime. Freeman was granted a new trial but died before it could happen.

A more thorough explanation:

People v. William Freeman (1847) was a landmark case in the United States legal system. It was the first case where a defendant used an insanity defense. The case was heard and decided by the New York Supreme Court.

Background: William Freeman was a Black and Indigenous man who was convicted of stealing a horse and sentenced to five years of prison with hard labor. During his imprisonment, he would often refuse to work and proclaim his innocence instead. In response, he would be beaten by the prison guards. One of these beatings resulted in Freeman receiving a severe brain injury, which gave him mental confusion and deafness. Six months after he was released from Auburn Prison, Freeman was accused of murdering four members of the Van Nest family in Cayuga County.

The Trial: William H. Seward decided to take the case as Freeman’s lawyer, believing that Freeman had a mental illness and should not be held responsible for his actions. He argued that Freeman was insane, and brought in witnesses who testified about what Freeman was like before his injuries and after. He also brought in medical experts who testified that they believed Freeman was insane. Despite these efforts, the jury still found Freeman sane and competent for the trial, and the case was moved forward. During the trial, the judge refused to let in the medical expert testimony proclaiming Freeman as insane. After both sides presented their evidence, the jury found Freeman guilty of the murders and he was sentenced to death.

Appeal: Seward continued to advocate for Freeman after the trial ended and filed an appeal, arguing the trial court should have allowed the medical testimony to be presented to the jury. The appellate court reversed the trial court decision and held that even if a defendant is held to be competent enough to stand trial, they can still present evidence during the trial to support their defense of insanity. Freeman was granted a new trial but died soon after the appellate court decision.

Example: People v. William Freeman (1847) was a significant case in the United States legal system because it was the first case where a defendant used an insanity defense. William Freeman was accused of murdering four members of the Van Nest family in Cayuga County. His lawyer argued that Freeman was insane, but the jury still found him guilty. The case was later appealed, and the appellate court held that even if a defendant is held to be competent enough to stand trial, they can still present evidence during the trial to support their defense of insanity.

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MIAMI A
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:55
How does one know if they are UR1 or UR2?
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:56
CONGRATS MACAQUE!
TY
got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
[] baddestbunny
4:29
let’s get after it boys and girls
Dkk
5:21
I gtg to bed soon.
Dkk
5:22
Big day today. Gunna be a crazy one. I will sleep through the first half.
good morning lsd it is 5 am EST
also jazzy my ndls address went long ages ago i sadly do not think it means anything
my stanford address also went long LOL i think at most it's an indicator it's under review
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