This is the sort of thing I was referring to:
http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/media-reaction-over-hypnotic-drug-exaggerated?print=friendly
And somnambulism - drug-related or otherwise - has been accepted as a defence against murder - see:
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/your-worst-nightmare-20101117-17xqk.html
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These days, homicidal somnambulism is a recognised phenomenon, so much so that some courts consider it a legitimate defence for murder. Last year, prosecutors in England dropped a murder case against then 59-year-old father-of-two Brian Thomas, who killed his wife in his sleep while the couple were on a campervan holiday in Wales. Believing their van had been broken into, Thomas attacked and strangled his wife before making a desperate call to emergency services.
But the most famous case of homicidal somnambulism involved a Toronto man, Kenneth Parks. In the early hours of May 23, 1987, Parks got up in his sleep, drove 23 kilometres to his in-laws' home, broke in, assaulted his father-in-law and stabbed his mother-in-law to death. He then drove himself to a police station, where he told officers: ''I think I have killed some people with my bare hands.'' Following testimony from sleep specialists,H a jury acquitted Parks, deciding that he was indeed sleepwalking and thus not responsible for his actions.
But the Parks case remains a line in the sand for some sleep specialists.
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And it is that last bit that indicates the camp that I tend to fall into. I stress that I am NOT a specialist in any of the psychiatric specialties, I am not a sleep specialist, and I have had no personal experience of Stillnox side effects...
So my comments should taken with the disclaimer that they are those of a medical specialist in a different field, but with the inbred cynicism that that implies.
I am in no way suggesting that it WAS somnambulism - just that it is something to keep in mind that the defence may try. Things could get complicated. And if they DO try that one, then I would take that as a sign of desperation. But as i said before - that's just cynical old moi...! :moo:
And here's a link - the "Stillnox defence" is not, it would seem, universally accepted:
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/latest-news/stilnox-case-retrial-ordered