Alissa D. Hascup Discusses Insanity and Diminished Capacity Defenses in NJ.com Article

Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno, PC attorney Alissa D. Hascup was quoted in an October 31, 2026, NJ.com article examining the potential use of insanity and diminished capacity defenses in the criminal case against Vincent Battiloro, who is accused of killing two teenage girls in Cranford, New Jersey.

Hascup, a former Morris County assistant prosecutor with experience handling cases involving mental health defenses, explained that defense attorneys must establish a connection between a defendant’s mental state at the time of an alleged crime and the conduct at issue.

“It may come down to a battle of the experts,” Hascup said, referring to the psychiatric evaluations that could be presented by the defense and prosecution.

She also discussed how evidence of a defendant’s behavior before an alleged crime could factor into the case, as well as the potential impact of mental health defenses on plea negotiations and jury deliberations.

Hascup emphasized that a successful insanity or diminished capacity defense does not necessarily mean a defendant will be released from custody.

“If a jury were to accept either of those things, it doesn’t mean he beats the case and turns around and walks out of court,” she said.

Hascup is not involved in the Battiloro case.

Read the full article: “He’s accused of stalking N.J. teen before 2 girls died. Will insanity defense work?”, by Rebecca Heath, NJ.com, October 31, 2026.