Schultz v. State

In Schultz v. State, 87 Wis. 2d 167, 172, 274 N.W.2d 614 (1979), after Irvin Schultz's wife began divorce proceedings, he visited a psychiatrist who diagnosed him as mentally ill and placed him on medication. Several months later, Schultz shot and killed his wife. See id. At trial, two psychiatrists and one psychologist appeared for the defense and testified that Schultz lacked mental capacity at the time he shot his wife. See Schultz, 87 Wis. 2d at 170-71. The state presented one psychiatrist, who testified that Schultz exaggerated his mental health problems and did not lack the mental capacity to appreciate what he had done or to conform his behavior to the requirements of law. See Schultz, 87 Wis. 2d at 171-72. The supreme court upheld the trial court's determination that Schultz should not be relieved of responsibility for shooting his wife. See Schultz, 87 Wis. 2d at 169. The court pointed out that a medical expert testified that Schultz did not lack mental capacity at the time of the offense. See Schultz, 87 Wis. 2d at 174.