Question
The United States’ judicial system has seen plenty of odd defenses used by defendants. For 10 points each, answer some questions about them.
[10m] This defense was used by Dan White after the murders of Harvey Milk and George Moscone. His lawyers argued that he suffered from depression caused by a change in diet to the namesake sugary treat.
ANSWER: “Twinkie defense”
[10h] Another odd defense was the “gay panic” defense in which defendants would claim a burst of anger was caused by unwanted sexual advances. That defense was attacked by this Los Angeles based gay rights group founded by Harry Hay that lost popularity after the Stonewall Riots due to its pacifism.
ANSWER: Mattachine (“MAT-uh-sheen”) Society
[10e] The “Shaggy defense” involves the defendant responding to overwhelming evidence against them with, “it wasn’t me.” It was recently used by former Virginia governor Ralph Northam who was accused of performing this action that involves using makeup to portray a caricature of African-Americans.
ANSWER: blackface [accept brownface]
<AG, American History>
Summary
| 2023 ILLIAC (Cornell) | 2023-10-21 | Y | 1 | 30.00 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2023 ILLIAC (Mainsite) | 2023-10-21 | Y | 6 | 21.67 | 100% | 100% | 17% |
Data
| Cornell Earth | RIT | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |