why is post natal depression an excuse for setting fire to and killing a 4month old baby ?

Question

the mother who commited this horrific crime should be locked away forever and not given the chance to have anymore babies

Answer 1

Because mental illness is like being in another world. In the case you are referring to she has now been set free. But Look what she has to live with for the rest of her life, her mind will always be tormented.

Answer 2

Sierra, that is a really hard question. First, its not post natal depression, its post natal psychosis which is a much more severe form of post natal depression. Is it an excuse...NO.

But the problem is NOT the psychosis, its the courts and states that will not change from the McNaughten definition of insanity. I may have misspelled that, lol. It basically is where a psychologist or psychiatrist makes a determination if the person was unable, at the time of the incident, to cognitively make a determination between right and wrong and if they are currently able to aid in their defense. Because of continuing to follow this rule, courts can find a person temporarily insane and therefore "not quilty" of a crime, in other words innocent by reason of insanity. Then they can be sent to a treatment facility rather than prison. From there the court loses jurisdiction over them as I understand it, and a psychiatrist or psychologist at the institution they are sent to can release them as soon as they deem them "safe" in psychology.

Attorneys and other legal professionals have been asking for a change in the law to read "guilty but insane". If this change were made, the judge or jury could find them guilty but mentally ill, they could be sent for treatment and once they were "safe" would be sent to prison to serve our their sentence.

Innocent by reason of insanity puts a horrible pressure on a jury. They can see that anyone who would do such a thing is clearly insane, but they have no option in order to acknowledge both insanity and culpability.

So no, post partum psychosis should not be an excuse for killing anyone, nor should temporary insanity. Yes, people are ill at times, but we do not let it be an excuse for murder. Perfect example, being drunk is not an excuse for murder. Having diabetes is not an excuse for murder.

In addition, if you know someone who has recently had a child and is not acting "normal", seems depressed, paranoid or in any way is speaking and acting different than usual, get them help...now. Semantics are not as important as a child's life.

And, if you get a chance to speak out about changing the current laws regarding insanity, make your voice heard.

Answer 3

Sierra, and others who are so judgemental, I hope that one day you never have experience of this illness.
I had puerperal psychosis and was totally insane for about 3 months after my baby was born.
I didnt want to harm my daughter but had terrifying hallucinations and heard voices-Its like you get taken over by someone or something, its a rare condition which occurs only within 6 months of the birth.
Its not an excuse ,its a medical illness!
I had to fight for someone to hear me and to get help. I admitted myself to a mental hospital which was extremely difficult and scary thing to do.I was a 3rd year graduate and had no support from husband or family.
I recovered suddenly about 3 months later and within 12months had graduated from university
.I had another baby 9 years later and was perfectly well (but terrified that it may happen again)
You may not believe me but its all true.
I hope this helps you to understand the case.
You are in no position to judge ,you were neither the woman,her family,her friend, the judge or the jury.Trust and feel fortunate that you come from a society who will understand a condition and make the just sentence for the crime and not a barbaric,mysogynistic,vengeful one.

Answer 4

PND should not be used as an 'excuse', however it should definitely be considered as a mitigating circumstance. I do not know much about the illness, however I do not think that this woman would have done such a horrific act if she was thinking clearly, i.e. not suffering from PND.

Yes the crime was horrific, but as others have said there must be some room for compassion in this area.

Answer 5

you're completely wonderful insanity protection isn't hassle-loose neither is it very efficient while used. women notwithstanding can escape with homicide by using excuses like positioned up natal melancholy and battered spouse syndrome. adult males have not have been given any such excuses and can be carried out for doing the comparable crimes. "The impact that the protection is broadly used, yet it quite is not the case. in accordance to an 8-state learn, the insanity protection is utilized in decrease than a million% of all courtroom circumstances and, while used, has basically a 26% fulfillment value. of those circumstances that have been efficient, ninety% of the defendants have been before clinically determined with psychological ailment." with the intention to argue it is hassle-loose protection is quite incorrect and it hardly works while used, basically in circumstances the place the guy has no longer shown to be mentally risky formerly the incident meaning insanity protection has basically a 2% sucess value as quickly as the guy does no longer already ahve a historic previous of psychological ailment. In different words its a hopeless protection approach.

Answer 6

There is no excuse. But I know this woman and she is one of the nicest people I have ever met and would do anything for you.
She was really ill and had to go into a mother and baby clinic (TWICE) after 1st and 3rd baby. She never wanted to hurt them but she didnt like them at all. All I say I that would should keep an open mind,,, We were obviously the lucky ones....

Answer 7

Unfortunately courts believe that some people deserve a second chance. Also a woman is post natal depression will not be in her right mind and will therefore do things she did not mean to do. Depression might also relate to things such schizophrenia which might be one of her excuses. For example in some countries a woman can get away with murder if she uses her hormones as an excuse (because they weren't in their right mind?) Don't get me wrong i completely agree with you and think she should be locked away.

Answer 8

Because it is an actual mental imbalance that happens.

I have been sick with severe food poisoning once. It was so bad, and my fever so high, I should have died, but I lived. During that time, I heard voices all the time and felt like I was going insane. It was all the results of the high fever. Your mind is really in a delicate balance all the time, and breaking that balance is extemely traumatic. I had to keep reminding myself that nobody was actually talking to me and not talk back to the voices. I was ready to start taking heavy drugs just to keep me unconscious during the day so I wouldnt hear the voices when my fever finally lifted.

Although it is not a fever, it is something similar where the hormones and whatnot in the body are totally out of whack and you are totally NOT yourself.

What I feel is sorry for that mother that once she is stabilized will never forget what she did and will always doubt herself for the rest of her life.

Answer 9

I think if the experts say it was post natal depression then thats what it is. I guess from your question you have never had PND, or experienced the agony of a loved one going thru it? Its horrible !!
The woman deserves treatment and compassion, she has to live with her actions for the rest of her life.

Answer 10

post natal depression is a real thing, not just something made up so all you superior people can say "Oh thats really messed up". If you ain't been there, don't go there.