United Kingdom Famous Trials, Famous Trials, Daniel McNaughton, Edward Drummond, 1792-1843, Insanity defense, Murder, England, United Kingdom, Trials 

"The murder of Edward Drummond, the trial of his assassin, Daniel M'Naughten, and the dramatic consequences of the Old Bailey trial that followed, come together to make one of the most enduring stories in the annals of legal history. In The Lunatic and the Lords, Richard Schneider brings these events to life. This was Dickens' London, a city seething with working class unrest. The victim came from the highest echelon of English society; the accused was a loner, a labourer, and a Scot. These events occurred only three years after an attempted assassination of Queen Victoria. Drummond's murder was shocking; M'Naughten's acquittal was seen as an outrage." "This compelling story might only have been an historical footnote were it not for M'Naughten's acquittal by reason of insanity and the fallout that ensued. The verdict so outraged the Queen that she ordered a committee of the House of Lords to review the court's decision. The result was the so-called "M'Naughten Rules" which formed, and continue to form, the basis of the insanity defence in England and most English-speaking jurisdictions around the world including the United States. The rules also remain extremely controversial."--Jacket. 

Contents:
Foreword
Introduction
The assassination of Edward Drummond: Chapters 1-12
The trial of Daniel M'Naughton: Chapter 13-18
The M'Naughton rules: Chapter 19-21
Acknowledgements
Endnotes
Index 

Includes bibliographical references (pages 269-281) and index.