When a defendant is charged with committing a violent crime in the state of New York, there are various affirmative defenses he can raise in hopes of reducing both his conviction and the resulting sentence. In a recent criminal case before an appellate court in New York, the defendant successfully asked the court to reduce his murder conviction based on the argument that he acted “under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance.” The facts of the case serve as a reminder that this defense applies only in rare circumstances, but that when it does apply, it can serve as a powerful tool in otherwise difficult cases.
The Standard
To successfully argue the affirmative defense of emotional disturbance, a defendant must prove by a preponderance of evidence (1) that he suffered “extreme” emotional disturbance and (2) that there was a reasonable explanation for the emotional disturbance. The first element focuses on the defendant’s mental state, while the second focuses on how the defendant viewed his circumstances at the time of the offense. The affirmative defense of extreme emotional disturbance is different than a psychiatric defense.
April 2024 Case
In the case recently decided by the New York court, the defendant originally argued during trial that he murdered a fellow patient at a medical center because of emotional disturbance. The jury found that this was not a reasonable defense, and it found him guilty.
On appeal, though, the higher court carefully reviewed the trial court’s record. At the time of the murder, the defendant was suffering from delusions and the onset of a psychotic illness. These conditions had led to his involuntary commitment at the medical center. This mental state, said the higher court, satisfied the first element of emotional disturbance.
Regarding the second element, whether there was a “reasonable explanation,” the court noted that prior to the murder, the victim touched the defendant’s genital area without the defendant’s consent. A mental health expert during trial testified that given the defendant’s psychosis, this action could serve as a reasonable explanation for extreme emotional disturbance.
Proving Emotional Disturbance in Court
While this defendant was successful in appealing his ruling to eventually show he was indeed extremely emotionally disturbed during the murder, this affirmative defense is not one that criminal courts take lightly. To meet both elements of the standard, a defendant must be severely emotionally disturbed and must give the court credible reason to believe that this disturbance was reasonable given the defendant’s mental state. If you have questions about whether this standard might apply to you or a loved one, speak with a qualified New York violent crimes attorney that can help you understand how the facts of your case might lend themselves toward this defense.
Do You Need a New York Violent Crimes Attorney for Your Case?
At Tilem & Associates, we are proud to offer client-centered, aggressive defense for the accused in New York. Our team has years of experience navigating the criminal legal landscape in the state, and we are standing by, ready to take your call. For a free and confidential consultation with a New York violent crimes attorney, you can reach us at 877-377-8666. You can also fill out our online form to tell us about your case and have a member of our team reach back out as soon as possible regarding next steps.