Jeffrey's syphilis went untreated and resulted in cognitive deficits and faulty perceptions of reality. He heard voices commanding him to "cleanse the wicked of their sins." Obeying the commands, he killed several prostitutes and known drug dealers. Jeffrey was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or mental defect. His verdict was the result of the _____.

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The Durham rule (also known as the product rule) states that a defendant is not criminally responsible if their illegal actions were the product of a mental disorder or defect. This was the rule used in Jeffrey's case, as his syphilis had resulted in cognitive deficits and faulty perceptions of reality that led him to commit the crimes. The ALI rule is an alternative rule that focuses on the defendant's inability to understand the wrongfulness of their actions, while the M'Naghten rule focuses on the defendant's ability to distinguish right from wrong at the time of the crime. The American Psychiatric Association definition of insanity is not a legal rule but rather a clinical definition.

Jeffrey's Syphilis Went Untreated and Resulted in Cognitive Deficits and Faulty