State v. Shelton’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

35 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 36 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “[W]e emphasize that the psychiatric testimony must demonstrate that the defendant’s inability to form the requisite culpable mental state was the product of a mental disease or defect, not just a particular emotional state or mental condition. It is the showing of a lack of capacity to form the requisite culpable mental intent that is central to evaluating the admissibility of expert psychiatric testimony on the issue.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Hatcher · Derek Williamson v. State of Tennessee

2. “Given Tennessee precedent, this blanket statement is subject to dispute. Unquestionably, the defense of voluntary intoxication relies upon ... a diminished capacity. Also, the holding in Davis [v. State], 161 Tenn. 23 , 28 S.W.2d 993 (1930)], indicated an acceptance of the proposition that an abnormal mental condition short of insanity, as then defined, could be used to negate the state of mind elements ... required for first or second degree murder.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Kelley

3. “The trial court fully charged the jury on all the elements of first degree and second degree murder and all lesser included offenses, and the absence of an instruction on “diminished capacity” did not preclude the jury’s finding defendant guilty of a “lesser offense.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Phipps