A True Case of Temporary Insanity
Posted by Moonage on 31 Aug 2006 | Tagged as: Corporal Punishment, Political Correctness
Now, I have taken a little bit slack, not much, but a little for sure, for asserting that Andrea Yates deserved to die rather than be allowed to cop an insanity plea. IMO, if you’re capable of murder in a regular, semi-normal-function-as-yourself role, society has a right to defend itself from you and incarceration does not permanently assure society that right ro public welfare. Every so often, there is a situation where “temporary insanity” does occur that does not present a constant threat to society. Here, IMO, is a perfect example:
Every parent has a right, and some feel compelled, to defend their child. Granted, Edington did not have the right to take the law into his own hands, it can be argued that under the circumstances, Edington went temporarily insane upon being told his daughter had been molested. I’m quite sure I would as well. It could also be as easily argued, given his history, that this was a one time occurrance and as long another person doesn’t molest his daughter, society as a whole is safe.
The irony, or flip side, is that Edington, as a lawyer, probably knew full well that James most likely would not have been legally punished to any great degree otherwise. I can see that adding to Edington’s “insanity” real easy.
If Edington had known that James molesting his daughter would have been dealt with harshly by the legal process ( ie, James just needed killin in the worst way apparently ), he might not have gone “temporarily insane”.
October 19, 2006 UPDATE:
Oops.
2 Comments »
on 05 Dec 2006 at 2:22 pm 1.Bryon Johnston said …
Re the “True Case of Temporary Insanity” and not posing any danger to society. I would hazard a guess that James family would disagree with that comment. It would appear that he killed an innocent man.
on 05 Dec 2006 at 2:55 pm 2.Moonage
said …
I do stand corrected. However, it was the circumstances leading up to the murder that I was focusing on. Whereas the children were totally innocent and had no reason to be killed, Mr. James gave everyone full reason to suspect the worst. When that worst was mentioned, this is what happened. All he didn’t do was have sex with the girl. For that, I don’t think the guy was totally innocent. Worthy of killin, maybe not. But to absolve all guilt is not correct either.