American Justice: It's Not My Fault - Strange Defenses

Plot

Twinkies lead a man to murder! This fictitious-sounding headline appeared in several reputable papers during the strange days of the trial of Dan White. Accused of murdering San Francisco mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk, White pleaded not guilty by reason of depression. His excuse has since become known as the "Twinkie defense" and is cited whenever prosecution suspects foul play. A&E investigates this odd practice in American Justice: It's Not My Fault -- Strange Defenses. Though White's case was based on a debilitating mental condition, what caught the public's yes was a doctor's assertion that a diet of junk food can affect judgment. White eventually received a reduced sentence of involuntary manslaughter, but outraged citizens never forgot his defense. Scott Falater was not so lucky. His claims of sleepwalking were not enough to acquit him of stabbing his wife 44 times. The one-hour program documents odd cases where outrageous excuses were the news of the day. ~ Sarah Ing, Rovi

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