Transcript Forensic Patient Population in NSW

R v Wienand






20-year history of bipolar disorder
Depressed and suicidal in months prior
to offence
Non-compliant with Lithium
Seeing GP, no psychiatric follow-up
No criminal history
No substance abuse history
R v Wienand



Laboring under a disease of the mind
in the form of bipolar affective
disorder.
Severely depressed with evidence of
psychosis
Believed that he had to be ‘punished
by God’ and wanted to punish himself.
R v Wienand



Unable to think rationally and clearly
about the wrongfulness of his actions
in the McNaughten’s sense,
Felt morally justified in his actions as
he believed he deserved to be
punished
Apparent premeditation and
calculation fits with his distorted
thinking at the time in question
R v Wienand





Recommenced on medication in
MHSU, MRRC
Referred to Bondi Community Mental
Health Team, bail granted
Remained well
Found NGMI
Conditional Release from Court
Partial Defences to
Murder



SIAM
Provocation
Excessive Self-defence
L’ennemi intime
R v McCann






67-year-old Caucasian male married for nearly 40
years, separating from his wife in March 2009
8 children
living in his own home in Springwood, sharing with
local alcoholic
studied to be a priest for 3 years
worked for the Forestry Commission for 10 years
property manager for the Blue Mountains Grammar
School between 1983 and 1996
R v McCann






History of depression dating back to
2000
Required ECT
Diagnosis of bipolar disorder
Subsequently developed mild cognitive
impairment
Non-compliant with community
treatment Springwood MHT
Family concerns re behaviour
R v McCann



Flat-mate invited friend Morgan to
stay, against wishes of McCann
Morgan made threatening gestures,
claimed to have killed someone in NT
Springwood Police called and removed
Morgan
R v McCann



Watching ‘Intimate Enemies’ at night
in home theatre
Curtain to the media room opened and
the deceased entered the room,
apparently saying “John…you didn’t
expect me to come back. I’m here to
kill you. Prepare to die. This is your
last day on Earth.”
punched by the deceased in both eyes