State v. Weathers

Citations

• 339 Conn. 187

Syllabus

Convicted, after a trial to a three judge panel, of the crimes of murder, criminal possession of a pistol or revolver, and carrying a pistol without a permit in connection with the shooting death of the victim, the defendant appealed. The defendant had approached the victim, who was working at a construction site, to ask whether the construction company was The listing of justices reflects their seniority status on this court as of the date of oral argument. 188 NOVEMBER, 2021 339 Conn. 187 State v. Weathers hiring new employees. One of the victim's coworkers suggested that the defendant go to the company's office to fill out a job application. The defendant appeared to walk away but, shortly thereafter, again approached the victim and shot and killed him. At trial, the defendant raised the affirmative defense of mental disease or defect under the applicable statute ((Rev. to 2015) § 53a-13 (a)), claiming that he lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct and to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law. According to the defendant, on the morning of the offense, he experienced auditory hallucinations and delusions that influenced his thinking and behavior. These included hearing voices and seeing flashing lights, which indicated to the defendant that the victim was dangerous and that he should be shot. The defendant presented the testimony of two expert witnesses, both of whom opined that the defendant's mental condition impaired his ability to control his conduct within the requirements of the law. The trial court, however, found that the state had met its burden of proof on the counts charged and that, although the defendant demon- strated that he suffered from an unspecified psychotic disorder at the time of the murder, he failed to prove his affirmative defense because he did not demonstrate the requisite connection between his condition and his criminal conduct. The Appellate Court upheld the defendant's conviction, and t