What plea did Roky Erickson enter in 1969 to avoid a potential 10-year sentence in Texas?
Answer
Not guilty by reason of insanity
Facing the severe threat of a 10-year prison sentence in Texas stemming from the charge of possessing a single marijuana joint in 1969, Roky Erickson, guided by his legal counsel, opted for a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. This legal strategy was intended as a route to bypass incarceration; however, in practice, it redirected him into the custody of the psychiatric system. Observers often point to this decision as initiating a path that resulted in further psychological damage, as the available mental health treatment methods of that era were often harsh and ill-equipped for humane care.
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