Ohio man acquitted after unusual insanity defense dies

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Billy Milligan, believed to be the first person to use multiple personality disorder in an insanity defense, has died. He was 59.

His sister says Milligan had cancer and died Friday at a Columbus, Ohio, hospital.

In 1978, Milligan was acquitted of three rapes near Ohio State University. Doctors said he had two dozen personalities that fused into one harmless one after therapy. He was released from a hospital in 1988 and continued undergoing treatment after that.

His sister says he received treatment for the disorder on and off throughout his life. He eventually moved to California, where he was accused of threatening a judge and went through bankruptcy.

His sister says Milligan returned to Ohio about five years ago and had lived "rather quietly" for a while.

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