New trial ordered for soldier who says anti-smoking drug drove him to kill

[unhappycamper]

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/08/27/6659635/new-trial-ordered-for-soldier.html



Pfizer's antismoking medicine, Chantix, November 13, 2007.

New trial ordered for soldier who says anti-smoking drug drove him to kill
By Michael Doyle
McClatchy Washington Bureau
Published: Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014 - 3:54 pm

WASHINGTON -- The nation’s highest military appeals court on Wednesday ordered a new trial for a soldier who killed a Fresno, Calif., native in a sudden rage allegedly induced by the anti-smoking drug Chantix.

In a unanimous decision, the five-member U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces concluded the original trial judge should have instructed jurors that “involuntary intoxication” could be a defense. The defendant, Army Pfc. George D.B. MacDonald, says the Chantix caused him to snap.

“The members were not told that involuntary intoxication itself or in combination with (MacDonald’s) other conditions could impact his ability to appreciate the nature and quality of wrongfulness of his act,” Chief Judge James Baker wrote. “As a result, we are left with reasonable doubt as to whether the absence of an instruction contributed to the verdict.”

The 37-page decision means the possibility of eventual freedom for MacDonald, who was sentenced to life without parole after his original conviction. MacDonald’s civilian attorney, William E. Cassara, said Wednesday that he was ecstatic at the ruling.

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I tried Chantix (once) and was feeling suicidal after 2 days of one pill per day. I've never been suicidal and it scared the crap out of me.

[lunasun]

1. Big Pharma has known about these side effects forever, and it mentions he had other conditions also.

There are other alternatives to quit. I know a few that the patch worked to quit .

[SheilaT]

2. Are you sure it was the Chantix

and not nicotine withdrawal?

[unhappycamper]

3. It was Chantix.

I've quit a few times, so I know the difference.