You're Wrong About The Insanity Defense with Mackenzie Joy Brennan
40 snips
Aug 19, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, legal correspondent Mackenzie Joy Brennan takes listeners through the twisted history of the insanity defense in America. She highlights bizarre cases, including that of Winnie Ruth Judd, whose tumultuous life and mental health struggles transformed public perception of women in crime. The conversation dives into the implications of John Hinckley Jr.'s attempt on Reagan, exploring toxic masculinity and media influence. With a playful tone, they tackle the intersections of law, mental health, and societal values, revealing the complexities of justice.
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Question TV's Insanity Portrayals
- Don't assume TV depicts legal insanity accurately; learn the specific legal test in jurisdiction.
- Recognize public fear of 'getting off on a technicality' skews reactions to insanity defenses.
The Winnie Ruth Judd Case
- Winnie Ruth Judd transported dismembered bodies in trunks and surrendered at a funeral home.
- William Randolph Hearst paid for her defense and she was sentenced to death before insanity evidence saved her.
Insanity Standards Vary Widely
- The McNaughton test focuses on whether a defendant could understand the nature or wrongfulness of their act.
- Legal standards for insanity vary along a strict-to-permissive spectrum and shape outcomes dramatically.
