Recently it seems several women that have killed their children are found innocent by reason of insanity. What do you think of this? Should depression or stress acquit you from murder charges? What if someone is having financial stress and murders a banker?
2007-05-29 08:02:31 · 17 answers · asked by Jasmine 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It is really sick but seriously, if a person kills their own child they must be insane right? For someone to kill another person you would think there has to be something mentally wrong with them. But I don't think that that means they should be found innocent. They are crazy but also guilty
2007-05-29 08:21:29 · answer #1 · answered by pancake on my face 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think what happens there is that a woman would have to be insane to kill their own child(ren) - in the eyes of the everyday person.
I am a mother, and though there are days and times I utter the words "I'm gonna kill you", I never could. I don't even know what a young child could do that was so bad they deserve to die.
Long and short, you have 12 sane citizens passing judgment, and in their mind, the more horrific the crime, the crazier the perp is. It isn't true in the legal definition of insanity, but it is the way it is, and that is what the defense counts on.
Haven't you noticed that the more horrific and brutal the murder is the more of a chance the one that committed the murder is to get off with an insanity plea. It's not right, but that is the way it is.
2007-05-29 08:15:37 · answer #2 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Legally an insanity plea means you were unable to determine that the actions you were taking were wrong at that point in time. Depression and stress do not automatically make that happen. There has to be a larger thing going on there to make that happen. It also means that not only your psychiatrist, but one appointed by the state views you to be unable to determine your actions were wrong. I don't think killing a banker for financial stress is the same situation, unless you don't realize you are committing a crime. I think it is harder to be found not guilty by reason of mental defect than it is to be found not guilty by a jury.
2007-05-29 08:19:30 · answer #3 · answered by erinn83bis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some women use it as a cop out because they have seen others able to use the defense. Some women are mentally ill. As for the poster about the 5 children. That was Andrea Yates. You have to dig into the research to find out what all had been going on. She was diagnosed with postpartum pyschosis long before she killed her children. This is more serious than post partum depression. One of her doctors had lowered her medication dosage. Another doctor advised of no more children after the 4th, her husband impregnated her anyway. A doctor also advised for her to not be left alone with the children. Her husband did anyway.
I myself do not understand how a person could do this to their children, but I have never been that ill before either. She was diagnosed before, so it's not like she used it as a cop out. And furthermore, it is not as though when found insane, they let you go free. You are still locked up one way or another.
2007-05-29 08:16:03 · answer #4 · answered by r riggs 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think many people who kill are at least temporarily insane as murder is an act of insanity!
I believe that most are mentally ill. What I wonder about though is why men are almost always sent to jail for life, even if they are insane!
Seems that American "justice" operates on a double standard!
2007-05-29 08:08:31 · answer #5 · answered by cantcu 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Rare is the case where a murderer is legally insane (meaning unable to understand their actions or the result thereof). In my opinion, these recent insanity verdicts have been the result of sympathy because the jurors know, or believe the woman will get mental health treatment. Sad stories all.
2007-05-29 08:08:38 · answer #6 · answered by Rachel M 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes we have witnessed this type of crime too many times--if depression and stress caused these people to commit these unspeakable crimes--many more Mothers would be accused of the same act--It's all about being a mother. We are not suppose to kill our children. This Law sucks. What about the children.
2007-05-29 08:11:56 · answer #7 · answered by Joan J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know what you mean. These women should be put away for life, even if it is an institution, with no chance of getting out. It's so sad that a woman can do such an awful thing to her children, then expect to get away with it. The judge should be punished also,if he sets her free.
2007-05-29 08:13:12 · answer #8 · answered by chercinbob 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that using "insanity" for any crime or murder should not be an option. Never, no exceptions. I still can't believe the woman who drowned her 5 children in a bathtub hasn't been nor will be fried.
2007-05-29 08:07:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Post partum depression. It is real and it is scarey. The hormones that are produced after you have a baby can make you crazy. I had a friend who was one of the best mothers i knew tell me one night all she wanted to do was put a pillow over her son's head. She didnt, instead got someone to take the child while she went for a walk and clear her head. Some people dont have anyone.
I think what needs to be done is to have manditory counceling for new mothers.
2007-05-29 08:15:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋