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Article CommentaryAnalysis and Commentary

America's First M'Naghten Defense and the Origin of the Black Rage Syndrome

Kenneth J. Weiss and Neha Gupta
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online December 2018, 46 (4) 503-512; DOI: https://doi.org/10.29158/JAAPL.003795-18
Kenneth J. Weiss
Dr. Weiss is the Robert L. Sadoff Clinical Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Dr. Gupta is Attending Psychiatrist, Ann Klein Forensic Center, West Trenton, NJ, and in private practice. At the time of writing, Dr. Gupta was a Fellow in Forensic Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
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Neha Gupta
Dr. Weiss is the Robert L. Sadoff Clinical Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Dr. Gupta is Attending Psychiatrist, Ann Klein Forensic Center, West Trenton, NJ, and in private practice. At the time of writing, Dr. Gupta was a Fellow in Forensic Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
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Figures

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    Figure 1.

    William H. Seward, circa 1850. Retrieved from https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_H._Seward#/media/File:William-seward-1849-or-50.jpg.

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    Figure 2.

    Freeman Stabbing Child, unknown artist, ca. 1846 (Reprinted, with permission, from Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY).

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    Figure 3.

    William Freeman in jail. Sketch by GL Clough, showing defendant chained to wall and injured right hand (Reprinted, with permission, from Auburn [NY] Journal and Advertiser, March 25, 1846, p. 2).

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    Figure 4.

    Hanging Freeman, unknown artist, ca. 1846 (Reprinted, with permission, from Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY).

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    Figure 5.

    Mr. Seward addresses the jury. (Reprinted, with permission, from Auburn [NY] Journal and Advertiser, August 19, 1846, p. 1).

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Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online: 46 (4)
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
Vol. 46, Issue 4
1 Dec 2018
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America's First M'Naghten Defense and the Origin of the Black Rage Syndrome
Kenneth J. Weiss, Neha Gupta
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Dec 2018, 46 (4) 503-512; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.003795-18

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America's First M'Naghten Defense and the Origin of the Black Rage Syndrome
Kenneth J. Weiss, Neha Gupta
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Dec 2018, 46 (4) 503-512; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.003795-18
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Background
    • The Trial of William Freeman
    • The “Black Rage” Defense
    • Conclusion
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