In Greek and Roman mythology the beginning of an insanity defense was found. Strange and unusual behaviors were blamed on the Gods. The Gods were thought to be in control at the time the unusual acts were performed. The hearing of voices was thought to be blessings bestowed by the Gods to deliver messages to the less fortunate people. These people who heard the voices were revered and honored, not thought of as insane. It wasn't until the late seventh century B.C., under the archonship of Drake, the insanity defense was written about (Robinson).
             In the 1600's, English common law introduced the "Absolute Madnessâ€" defense. In 1724, the trial of Edward Arnold, who shot Lord Onslow in front of witnesses. His defense brought witnesses to testify that Mr. Arnold acted like a mad man, like a "wild beastâ€". This resulted in the "Wild Beast Rule", meaning, "Not guilty by reason of insanity if totally deprived of reason so as to be as an infant or a wild beastâ€". (History of Standards for the Insanity Defense).
             In the 1800's, a simple treason charge, which is punishable by death, became one of the insanity defense precedence. A Mr. James Hadfield fired a gun at King George III in a theatre. He a major disturbance but no one was injured. Dr. Alexander Crichton, who had just published, "An Inquiry into the Nature and Origins of Mental Derangement, became a key figure in this trial by changing the dynamics of the defense. Due to this, Hadfield was found, "not guilty by reason of insanityâ€", because of a mental defect when he committed the act.
             The McNaughton case is probably one of the most famous, certainly the best established case on insanity. In 1854, Daniel McNaughton shot and killed the secretary of
             the British Prime Minister. He was under the assumption that the Prime Minister was out to get him. McNaughton was found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent the rest of his life in a mental insti...