If someone knows that someone else might be a danger to others and doesn't turn them in , do you think they

Question

should serve time in prison?

Experts are telling us the case in VA had many warning signs.

Answer 1

I think they are ethically & morally responsible, and possibly civilly liable.
They might not serve time in prison, but they might come out on the losing end of a wrongful death suit.

Answer 2

To a certain point, that's what being an "accomplice to the crime" is. But, but, but!

You know, there are some nervous, paranoid people who think that everyone is a danger. The stereotype is the little old lady who calls the police everytime she sees a stranger walk by the yard. Unfair stereotype, but that kind of behavior is really hard on the police!

And then there are other issues. What if the dangerous person is a family member, and you are just not sure? Should you bring shame upon your entire family just because of something s/he *might* do? I think if you have evidence (diary entries or letters with plans to kill someone or do them harm), then you must report it. But what do you do if the person is just being a little creepy? You could not only besmirch their name (if they can control themselves), you make yourself look horrible and break up your family, too.

It's so case-by-case. It depends on the personality of the *reporter* as well as the suspect.

This is the stuff that makes up really thrilling TV dramas -- to be or not to be, that is the question.

Answer 3

I'm going to have to disagree here. The reason being that even though this guy was disturbed, does not mean that he actually admitted that he was planning to kill anyone. Put yourself in the prosecuting attorney's shoes, because legally what can they do about someone who is just writing about hurting others.

What happened was horrible, but please let's not go to the point that every time someone says "Oh I could just kill so and so" or writes a story about murder, does not mean that the person really is serious. We could end up having a lot of people locked up for no reason.

Answer 4

Legally, yes they can be considered culpable. The legal maxim is "silence suggests consent" if someone does nothing the law begins out assuming the individual gives tacit consent.
Of course, the bar is set pretty high for a convict-able offense. If I give a loaded gun to someone I know is unstable, I'm responsible (at least partially) for what he does with it. But if I didn't know he was unstable, I'm in the clear.

Answer 5

serve time in prison for:

having bad judgement or
not recognizing when someones in trouble or
trying to be a supportive friend or
not wanting to get involved

How does one "know" when someone is a danger to others?

The answer in no - unless a law has been broken such as being an accomplice to a crime or harboring a fugitive - and let's not forget that the law is clear on suspected child abuse MUST be reported - by law.

Answer 6

If they knew of a crime in preparation or planning, like the business at VT or other terrorism, especially when the objective is to kill. Then they should face jail AND being sued. Not reporting is the same as aiding a crime.

Answer 7

I dont think any one of us would be able to accurately go through the shades of a situation like that and be able to place blame in a fair way.

Answer 8

i think that if a guy hits a girl they should be made to drop the soap infront of a gay shaqueal oneal (thatll ripp em open and pay them back) and if u know of somebody that abuses girls u should turn them in or youll drop the soap infront of shaq