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The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states, each with its own relatively enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self. At least two of these identities or personality states must recurrently take control of the person's behavior. Patients have an inability to recall important personal information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. The disturbance must not be due to the direct physiological effects of a substance … or a general medical condition. - Table 2
Using Dissociative Identity Disorder* as a Basis for Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
Case Year Charge Defense Court Ruling State v. Milligan24 1978 Rape NGRI-MPD Lack of an integrated personality meant the defendant was not culpable State v. Darnall25 1980 Murder NGRI-MPD Multiple personalities do not preclude criminal responsibility State v. Grimsley26 1982 Drunken driving NGRI-MPD; primary personality had no control over the “alter” State of consciousness or personality of defendant is immaterial Kirkland v. State27 1983 Bank robbery NGRI-psychogenic fugue Law does not inquire about other personalities, fugue states, or moods in cases of criminal liability State v. Jones28 1988 Murder NGRI-MPD Alter personalities will not be an excuse for inability to distinguish right from wrong State v. Greene29 1998 Murder NGRI - DID; primary personality was “unconscious” Evidence of DID, including expert testimony, was not admissible because it did not meet reliability standards State v. Lockhart30 2000 Sexual assault NGRI-DID DID was not allowed into evidence by the West Virginia Court due to lack of scientific evidence ↵* Dissociative identity disorder formerly was referred to as multiple personality disorder.
