It means that the state did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that MB intentionally fired the gun at RG. It could well be that all three shots were intended for LK, or even that it was one of the two shots that went through LK that went through the window.
In the offered plea deal, the state offered “guilty” on just one count each of the two offenses. I take that as acknowledgement that the case wrt RG was always much weaker given that no bullets hit him.
The jury can “believe” that MB shot at RG’s head without determining that the attempted murder of RG has been established beyond a reasonable doubt.
I would have gone with not guilty on the two counts wrt RG, as well. I would have gone either guilty or NGI on the two counts wrt LK because I think the state (which included LKs testimony) did make its case wrt to LK. I honestly don’t know whether I’d have gone with guilty or with NGI. It’s clear to me that he was “insane” in the lay sense of it being such an irrational, bizarre act, but it’s not clear to me that it fit the legal definition of insanity.
However, I was not on the jury, and I respect the jury’s decision on that difficult issue. I think MB got the vigorous defense he deserved, and justice was served.
What I don’t like about the continuing flavor of the threads is the “zero sum” mentality; people assuming that a good and just outcome for MB is automatically a defeat and slap down for LK.
Contrary to what numerous posters have already stated, the court did not establish that “LK drove MB insane”. They simply decided he was insane, and therefore was not criminally responsible.
As IM pointed out before being predictably deleted, why should LK care whether MB goes to prison for 20 years or goes to a mental institution until he is deemed no longer a risk? It’s not a zero sum situation in which MB rotting in jail for 20 years somehow makes LK better off. I think either a hung jury or a straight guilty would be worse for LK because with a hung jury it might be retried, and a guilty verdict would have been appealed - it would go on and on. Either of those verdicts would have been worse for LK.
LKs civil suit can now proceed. As finders of fact, the jury has determined that MB did shoot her, that SGF did allow guns not registered in NJ on the farm, and those guns were available to mentally unstable man.
MBs insanity means that he escapes criminal responsibility for the shooting. It’s not at all clear to me that his insanity absolves MB and SGF, or their insurance company, of civil liability.
