'I Lied Under Oath to Protect Government Secrets': The Thin Line Between Mental Illness And Criminal Prosecution

'I Lied Under Oath to Protect Government Secrets': The Thin Line Between Mental Illness And Criminal Prosecution

Appearing before Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols Tuesday, David J. Pettit of Bunnell wanted to withdraw the plea that sent him to prison for three years, claiming he was incompetent when he pleaded--that he was lying to protect NSA secrets about telepathic communications. The judge denied the motion. The case illustrates the little extent to which mental illness gets in the way of criminal prosecutions no matter how absurdly an individual behaves, no…