Considering Creative Criminal Defense Strategies of Yesteryear

There are many creative defense strategies out there, and you probably have heard of several. These defense strategies are often given pithy names. They are remembered for how ridiculous they are presumed to be – rather than because they were individually crafted to fit the exact situation at hand. No two cases ever share the same circumstances, and skilled defense attorneys are willing to consider each case's unique details and build a defense per those details.

Dan White's Twinkie Defense

Dan White tragically gunned down Harvey Milk (the first openly gay elected official in California) and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone in 1978 (predicated on a professional grievance). His defense went on to be known as the Twinkie defense. Still, it was not actually about Twinkies inspiring him to take such horrific action. Instead, it was about his consumption of sugary foods being indicative of a deep, underlying depression. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter.

Jonathan Schmitz's Gay Panic Defense

When Scott Amedure went on The Jenny Jones Show to reveal a secret crush on his neighbor, Mr. Schmitz, it did not end well. The two men went out for a drink afterward, but several days later, Schmitz purchased a shotgun and shot Amedure twice in the chest at the man's trailer – before calling 9-1-1. Schmitz's defense went on to be known as the gay panic defense, which amounts to temporary insanity concerning one's homophobic tendencies. Schmitz was convicted of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years behind bars.

Lorena Bobbitt's Irresistible Impulse

Lorena and John Bobbitt hit the headlines in 1993 when Lorena, John's wife, cut off his penis while he was sleeping. Lorena later called 9-1-1, and medics were able to reattach his penis in a nearly 10-hour surgery. Lorena's defense was that there was a long history of abuse in their marriage. When John raped her earlier in the evening, it had elicited a psychological state that left her simultaneously in self-defense mode and temporarily insane, which came to be known as an irresistible impulse. After nearly 8 hours of deliberation, the jury found her not guilty.

Your Defense

While these are all examples of extreme crimes and extreme defense strategies, they highlight exactly how important it is to adequately defend the accused and to cater each case's defense to that case's specifics. Merely applying a blanket defense across situations will not do your case justice.

Consult with an Experienced Killeen Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you face criminal charges, Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard – proudly serving Killeen, Texas – is a qualified criminal defense attorney who is committed to crafting a defense strategy that fits your case, protects your rights, and supports an optimal case resolution. Your case matters, so please do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at 254-501-4040 for more information today.