How could one twin be punished w/o punishing the other as well? Assume that each one needs the other one alive to live.
2006-08-21 08:12:14 · 7 answers · asked by Matthew B 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
The other twin had absolutely no part in the murder.
2006-08-21 08:24:31 · update #1
They would both go to jail, the rest of the issue would be settled by the courts.
2006-08-21 08:58:19 · answer #1 · answered by bsure32 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many problems I have with the concept of punishment, but I've never heard this one. It is really part of a philosophical debate, rather than actually legalistic.
The reasons I do not subscribe to punishment (categorically) is that "punishment", as it is commonly understood, treats the punished with contempt: we hurt the person in some way, by beating him, killing him, by taking away his liberty or making him suffer somehow. In this the person cannot other than be led to believe (relatively more) that he is bad. "I'm bad, and that is why I am being treated badly," goes the logic, of course.
But defensible criminal justice must aim directly at convincing the convicted offender that he or she is GOOD! For only goodness is consistent with responsible citizenship. This is not to imply that consequences are not in order. But the consequence, despite its unpleasantness (loss of freedom, public embarrassment, etc.) cannot legitimately intend to convince a person that he or she is bad. The U.S. military follows the same, tired, insensate and ancient logic - at Guantanamo Bay, for instance - and they are making more dedicated terrorists as a result. The only difference is that the terrorist "detainees" at Gitmo believe their abusers are bad, not themselves; their pseudo-religious zeal precludes realization of their ability to do wrong.
2006-08-21 08:32:25 · answer #2 · answered by voltaire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be the trial of the century ! Think of it, the twin being accused of murder in his defense would say " I kept hearing this other voice telling me "Kill him, Kill Him!". Or better yet, his twin would be his best alibi, "He was with me at the time of the murder!"
2006-08-21 08:53:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry, but both would serve the sentence, unless the Judge were lenient and could think of another punishment.
2006-08-21 09:28:27 · answer #4 · answered by skyeblue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The other twin be an accomplice.
2006-08-21 08:54:50 · answer #5 · answered by bereal1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a felony takes place anybody who takes part in it is also guilty of the crime.
2006-08-21 08:21:38 · answer #6 · answered by region50 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The other would have a charge of aiding and abetting, and the same sentence.
2006-08-21 08:22:28 · answer #7 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋