Some Conflicting Thoughts about The Alleged Killer's Psychosis and its Implications

[Mike 03]

I've been reading the many fascinating threads and comments about the killer made by politicians and DUers and some thoughts come to mind:

1. I agree with those who believe, based on comments out of his own mouth, that he actually qualifies as "Psychotic" in the medical sense of the word. Watch his videos. He is unable to formulate a coherent thought or credible connection between his As and Bs. He connects words and concepts that have no feasible connection.

2. Premeditation and Psychosis are not mutually exclusive. Someone who is psychotic can plan in advance to commit a horrible crime. What matters to the trial court is WHAT the killer believes at the time he plans and commits the crime, and the sanity and reasonableness of that belief. There was a school shooter a few years ago who premeditated a Columbine style shooting (for months in advance) but did so based on the belief that he deserved to die for sexual and violent thoughts he'd had about his sister and abusive father. He was "on a mission" to die based on delusional thoughts.

3. Does this let the RW off the hook? Absolutely not, because their rhetoric is designed to appeal to weak minds and deranged minds. So I wholeheartedly endorse the posts linking this tragic crime to the rhetoric of Palin, Angle, and the unbelievable ignorance of RW talk show hosts and morons like Michelle Bachman and Rand Paul.

Lastly, I have no doubts that a jury will find the person guilty of this crime and he will be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole, because the insanity or diminished capacity defense is rare and because juries are very impatient with and biased against this defense.

In general, jurors don't take insanity defenses seriously.

So the bottom line for me is: Don't let the RW off the hook for this. We need better mental health services and, as a resident of AZ, we need more gun control to keep semi-automatic firearms out of the hands of people who are a threat to themselves and others.

[Barack_America]

1. Please leave the diagnoses up to the psychiatrists.

Mental disorders have complicated and specific lists of criteria that must be satisfied before a diagnosis can be made. Such evaluations are best left to the professionals.

[ret5hd]

2. I agree. Stating ones opinions on a message board is dangerous stuff!

:sarcasm:

[glinda]

4. I like this guy's opinion myself...

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/427617_psychology-of-terrorism


Posted Dec 30th, 2010 by mohanrsca

[HereSince1628]

5. Sometimes, but the amount of inaccurate bullshit attributed to the "mentally ill"

here on DU for the past 2 days is astounding and promotes misunderstanding, and stigmatization of the mentally ill

The mentally ill and their families struggle greatly against the effects of social stigma. It stops people from getting jobs, promotions, etc.The oppression of this stigma s so great a problem that it interferes with help seeking for mental illness...

Hmm, seeking help was something suggested by Pima Community College to Jared Loughner and his parents. Wonder if he ever got that evaluation?

[Barack_America]

7. Exactly my point. nt

[roseBudd]

3. He will be found guilty, Dahmer pled insanity

[cali]

6. just because dahmer was found guilty, doesn't mean he will be.

Andrea Yates, for instance was originally found guilty but that was overturned on appeal by reason of insanity.