the idea that sleep murder is the same as premeditated murder is ludicrous.
im not saying that a sleep murder should EVER be a reason for acquital. to the contrary, sleep murder should be the same as an insanity defense since at the time you are not capable of knowing right from wrong.
you should be committed to a sleep research institute for the rest of your life, with no parole.
and i am saying this as a somnambulist myself. (sleepwalker)
if i woke up and found i had killed someone i would demand i be committed and studied to find a way to make this never happen to anyone ever again.
anyone that uses sleepwalking as a defense is just trying to skirt their responsibility, i do agree that whether asleep or awake, you do not get to skate on murder just because you're asleep, but you should also not be sentenced to death or life in prison for such an offense. the fact that you were so into the sleepwalking event is a reason to be subjected to non lethal study.