Susan Vinocour Libri

The narrative revolves around a tragic case involving a three-year-old with severe injuries, leading to an investigation into the child's grandmother's mental state. As a psychologist and attorney, Susan Vinocour is tasked with assessing the grandmother's competence for trial, exploring the complexities of her mental illness and socioeconomic struggles. The central theme delves into the legal definitions of sanity and culpability, questioning whether the grandmother understood the morality of her actions at the time of the incident.

A three-year-old boy dies, having apparently fallen while trying to reach a bag of sugar on a high shelf. His grandmother stands accused of second-degree murder. Psychologist Susan Nordin Vinocour agrees to evaluate the defendant, to determine whether the impoverished and mentally ill woman is competent to stand trial.