ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
You MUST use APA-style in-text citations to cite your information.
Your initial post should be substantive, and in-depth, and should demonstrate familiarity with the assigned material and the case study
In the Discussion Folder, you will find web links regarding Andrew Brannan. This case involves the forensic psycho-legal question of mental state at the time of the offense (sanity). This case also involves clinical and diagnostic differential questions regarding post-traumatic stress; whether Brannan in fact suffered from PTSD, or perhaps some other disorder (perhaps a psychotic disorder, perhaps something else), and whether or not – even if they were mentally ill – his offense was directly attributable to the mental illness (thus negating criminal responsibility).
Weblinks:
In the Discussion Folder, you will find web links regarding Andrew Brannan. This case involves the forensic psycho-legal question of mental -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8czRmHpqwGw
-https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/01/13/vietnam-veteran-andrew-brannan-executed-for-murder-after-ptsd-defense-fails/
– https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/01/11/ptsd-police-altercations-and-the-case-of-vietnam-veteran-and-convicted-killer-andrew-brannan/
Respond to the following:
1. Present the facts of the Brannan case to the Board. In other words, explain the Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why of the Brannan case. Who was the defendant? What did he do? Who was the victim(s)? How did the offense occur? Why did it occur? Was an affirmative defense raised regarding mental state? What was the ultimate ending of this case? etc.
2. Present your thoughts on diagnostic impressions and the psycho-legal question. Is there a mental illness present? If so, what disorder, and what do you base your opinion on? What explains the offense? Is it attributable to a mental illness? Or was it simply a crime with intentional men’s rea and no present disorder? Defend your stance.
HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)
- Facts of the Brannan Case:
Andrew Brannan was a Vietnam War veteran who was executed in 2015 for the murder of a police officer in 1998. According to reports, Brannan was stopped by the police officer for a traffic violation, but he refused to comply with the officer’s orders and pulled out a gun, shooting and killing the officer. Brannan then fled the scene and engaged in a shootout with other officers before being apprehended.
Brannan had a history of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which he claimed was a result of his experiences in the Vietnam War. During the trial, his defense team argued that his PTSD and other mental health issues had impaired his judgment and contributed to his actions. However, the prosecution argued that Brannan’s actions were premeditated and intentional and that his mental health issues did not excuse his behavior.
The case went to trial, and the jury found Brannan guilty of murder. An affirmative defense of mental state was raised, but it ultimately failed, and Brannan was sentenced to death. His case went through several appeals, but ultimately, he was executed in January 2015.
- Thoughts on Diagnostic Impressions and the Psycholegal Question:
The Brannan case raises complex diagnostic and psychological questions about the relationship between mental illness and criminal responsibility. On one hand, Brannan’s history of PTSD and other mental health issues suggests that he may have been suffering from a mental illness at the time of the offense. However, the question remains whether his mental illness was severe enough to impair his judgment and decision-making abilities to the point where he was not responsible for his actions.
Based on the available information, it is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis of Brannan’s mental health. However, he had a history of PTSD, which is a serious and debilitating disorder that can have long-term effects on a person’s mental health and well-being. If Brannan did suffer from PTSD at the time of the offense, his symptoms may have contributed to his actions.
However, it is also important to consider the fact that Brannan’s actions were deliberate. He made a conscious decision to pull out a gun and shoot the police officer, and then engaged in a shootout with other officers. This suggests that he was aware of the consequences of his actions and could control his behavior, despite any underlying mental health issues.
In my opinion, while Brannan may have been suffering from a mental illness at the time of the offense, his actions were not solely attributable to his mental illness. He made a deliberate and conscious decision to engage in criminal behavior, and as such, he should be held responsible for his actions. While mental illness may have played a role in the offense, it does not absolve Brannan of criminal responsibility.
In conclusion, the Brannan case highlights the complex relationship between mental illness and criminal responsibility. While it is important to consider the impact of mental illness on a person’s behavior, it is also important to hold individuals accountable for their actions, particularly in cases where those actions are deliberate.
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