Killer Determined To Be Insane At Time Of Killing Not Subject To Disqualification Under Slayer Statute

The Mississippi slayer statute disqualifies anyone who “willfully” causes or procures the death of another from taking that person’s property under any “will, testament, or codicil.” In Estate of Armstrong v. Armstrong,  a case of first impression, the Mississippi Supreme Court held that the statute does not apply to a person who was insane at the time of the killing.

Special thanks to William LaPiana (Professor of Law, New York Law School) for bringing this case to my attention.