Insanity Plea - What's the Point?

I read in the Peoria Journal Star that the court is waiting to receive a 110-page report on the sanity of confessed serial killer, Larry Bright. Apparently, if he is found to be a sadistic maniac, the state can’t execute him. If he is just a regular guy, he can be executed. I’m not sure what the logic behind this is but it must run something like, if he is a maniac then he was just doing what maniacs do and therefore not responsible – kind of like a rabid dog I guess. If, on the other hand, he is just a regular guy, then I suppose he is presumed to have some really grouchy days and be declared a menace to society. I guess it is a matter of definitions but I would have thought that anyone who strangles someone to death has got to be out of their mind. It all seems like a waste of time but Terry Killian, the psychiatrist said, “With the death penalty it warrants taking every precaution.” With the death penalty, the state should take extra precaution to make absolutely certain of Bright’s guilt or innocence but to take “every precaution” to be sure we knew what mood he was in when he crushed their bones and buried them in his backyard, makes me think Larry isn’t the only one who should have his head examined.