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Evidence in trial of Deirdre Morley 'all one way', judge told jury
Summary
In the Deirdre Morley case, the presiding judge, Mr Justice Paul Coffey, told the jury that the evidence was free of conflict and that no underlying facts required resolution. He explained that the case relied mainly on expert medical opinion, which was unanimous: both psychiatrists agreed Ms Morley was legally insane when she killed her children and could not understand the wrongness of her acts. The judge clarified that the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity required the jury to be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that she was suffering from a mental disorder and was unable to refrain from her actions. He emphasized that the evidence was all one way and that the prosecution was not seeking a murder conviction. The jury was then sent back to deliberate on the verdicts.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Evidence in trial of Deirdre Morley 'all one way', judge told jury. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 24 Other
- 2021-05-20 Publication
Why: The evidence from both psychiatrists, the judge said, was that she did not because her mental processes were deluded by delusional and psychotic reasoning. CNI source report
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