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(AP) A Moscow man whose lawyer blamed caffeine-induced psychosis for alleged hit-and-run crashes at Washington State University in December has been acquitted by reason of insanity.
Whitman County Superior Court Judge David Frazier ruled today that Daniel Noble, 31, was temporarily insane during the Dec. 9 incident and acquitted him of two felony counts of vehicular assault, two felony counts of hit-and-run and misdemeanor resisting arrest.
The Lewiston Tribune reports that Frazier granted a defense motion to acquit Noble based on Noble’s attorney’s intent to use an insanity defense at trial.
The two crashes injured pedestrians, Neil Waldbjorn, 19, of Malaga, Wash., and Hogun Hahm, 23, of Pullman. Each suffered a broken leg. Officers used a Taser to subdue Noble.
Noble’s attorney, Mark Moorer, had previously said his client was suffering from caffeine-induced psychosis brought on by too much coffee and energy drinks.
Reporter Meghann Cuniff writes about public safety news from the Inland Northwest and beyond.
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DCR on May 06 at 9:58 a.m.
Don’t wash down twinkies with coffee or energy drinks.
Phaedrus on May 06 at 10:43 a.m.
So his own bad behavior leads to a self-induced “insanity” and that is a reason not to hold him responsible for his actions? That’s crazy!
JeanC on May 06 at 10:56 a.m.
Actually he was suffering from undiagnosed bi-polar and the caffeine triggered an event. His acquittal comes with strings
From the Snooze:
“The conditions of Noble’s acquittal are still being hammered out, but
Frazier ruled Noble posed a substantial threat to the community. Frazier
said Noble would not be allowed to drive for at least a year and is
required to meet with a representative from the Department of Corrections
on a monthly basis for at least six months.
Frazier required Noble to continue mental therapy with a Gritman Medical
Center psychologist on a weekly basis and said Noble’s doctors should
submit reports to the court every month. Noble is banned from consuming
any caffeinated product and taking over-the-counter medicines.
Frazier will review the case in six months to ensure Noble is continuing
with his medical treatment.”