Where an offender's drug addiction is a major cause of offending but underlying mental disorders (such as PTSD and depression) also have a real connection with the offending, Verdins principles require reduction of moral culpability — the presence of drug addiction does not preclude the operation of Verdins where there is also an underlying mental impairment. The task of applying Hogarth does not require classification of aggravated burglaries into categories; each case depends on its own facts, and a sentencing judge errs by regarding herself as bound by Hogarth to impose a relatively high sentence without giving due regard to mitigating factors particular to the case.
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