In a Kansas case in which James Kahler was sentenced to death in the fatal shootings of four members of his family, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that states can block defendants from making an insanity plea without violating their rights. Kahler was sentenced to death in Osage County District Court following a lengthy trial for killing his ex wife, two teenage daughters and his ex wife’s grandmother in 2009. Two shooting victims survived long enough to identify Kahler. His 10 year old son was the only survivor in the house where the murders took place.
Kahler wanted to use an insanity defense, but Kansas is one of four states that eliminated a defendant’s ability to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. Kahler’s defense attorneys asked that he receive a life sentence.
