Courts / Wexford / Report
Psychiatrists agree that woman who killed father (94) qualifies for insanity verdict
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 51‑year‑old woman, Julie Flood, was tried for murdering her 94‑year‑old father on his birthday. Two psychiatrists testified that Flood suffered from persecutory delusions and auditory hallucinations, including voices of U2 and God, which led her to believe her father had been replaced and that she must stab him to rid him of evil. They argued she did not understand the wrongfulness of her act and therefore met the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The prosecution urged the jury to accept this expert evidence, while the defence prepared to argue otherwise. The trial was set to continue with the jury's deliberation the following day.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Psychiatrists agree that woman who killed father (94) qualifies for insanity verdict. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- April 12, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 14, 2019 Other
- 2023-04-19 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Flood made at the garda station
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
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