Constitutional Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Constitutional Law - Essay Example The juvenile was sent by his father to live with the paternal grandparents in South Carolina. The hospitals in the state did not have any Paxil, so they opted for an alternative drug, Zoloft. Zoloft is also an antidepressant. The accused experienced extreme side effects as a result of drug substitution. In addition, the doctors decided to double the dosage in an effort to reduce the side effects (State v Pittman). On the day he committed the offense, the defendant was punished by his grandfather. He resented the punishment and took the decision to kill both grandparents. He used their shotgun to kill. He shot them and burnt the house using candles and paper. He consequently stole the family dog, $33 and left the house in his grandparents’ car. The trial court also heard that he was apprehended some counties away from the scene of the crime and claimed that the death of his grandparents was a result of burglary. The defendant attorneys argued that the accused ought not to have been tried as an adult due to health and mental issues. The defense attorneys argued that the Pittman was under duress from a mental condition. The claim is grounded on the fact that prior to the crime, the convict had a depression problem. Pittman was under antidepressant drugs at the time he committed the crime. South Carolina state law does not have an age limit that differentiates a juvenile trial and an adult trial. The trial court in South Carolina determined that the defendant could be tried as an adult. The prosecution showed that it was indeed the defendant that committed the crime using a shotgun. The court also heard the happenings prior to the attack and after the attack. The prosecutor proved that the offense was carefully choreographed, thus warranting an adult trial. However, the defense team is adamant that although Pittman committed the crime, he was a juvenile under depression. The accused was also under new medication that negatively impacted on his mental