Trials: Bailey & the Boston Strangler

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After deliberating less than four hours, the jury found DeSalvo sane and guilty on all counts. For all his earlier confidence, Bailey seemed only momentarily disappointed and quickly announced his intention of appealing. He considers the Massachusetts insanity test archaic and hopes the state's Supreme Judicial Court will take the opportunity to bring it into line with less restrictive tests now applied in a number of state and federal courts. Said Bailey: "I am glad to get a shot at that foolish law."

As for DeSalvo, the outcome made little difference to him. He seems to be have best in a rigorously structured environment, and he has repeatedly said he did not want to be freed anyway. Now, instead of being confined to a mental institution, he has been sentenced to life in prison. Though psychiatrists doubted he could ever have been made well enough to leave an asylum, he will be eligible in theory for prison parole in 26 years.

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