Queen Street Mall in lockdown (BNE)

[JohnK]

To bring some "human fairness" to this, there hasn't been any reason established as to why he is doing what he is doing.

Don't worry some bleeding heart will find a way to justfiy his actions.

The tragedy of mental illness is that when diagnosed (and it often isn't) then most people shun the person and in circumstances like this some want to to kill them. Yet with the right treatment the person can be assisted to live a fairly normal life.

We don't treat people with serious disease such as cancer like this so why do we treat people with a psychiatric illness like this?

He is not the only person that is ill. Many suffer from chronic depression but do not go out hurting others.

Let's suppose this person had injured someone or worse still killed someone. Is he then beyond blame and not responsible for his actions because he is mentally ill?

 

[Hvr]

He is not the only person that is ill. Many suffer from chronic depression but do not go out hurting others.

Let's suppose this person had injured someone or worse still killed someone. Is he then beyond blame and not responsible for his actions because he is mentally ill?

According to the law you can be found not responsible for your actions if found to be mentally ill at the time.

 

[JohnK]

According to the law you can be found not responsible for your actions if found to be mentally ill at the time.

Silly law if you ask me.

 

[ashleyn]

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

 

[Hvr]

Silly law if you ask me.

And yet it has been a legal principle since the 13th century. Looks like it is part of the legal system that will remain.

Further information available here: Consultation Paper 6 (2010) - People with cognitive and mental health impairments in the criminal justice system: criminal responsibility and consequences - Law Reform Commission : Lawlink NSW

Perhaps a lawyer would like to comment on just how hard it is to actually succeed using this defence in court?

 

[blueflamenco]

^^ I think that depends on what court. Case in point below.

Judge rejects Colorado theater shooting suspect's motions on insanity plea - U.S. News

Do our thoughts change regarding the acceptance of an insanity plea in relation to the magnitude of the crime? When do we have sympathy for the individual with the mental illness, and when do we lose that sympathy? What do we believe differentiates "insanity" from sociopathy?

 

[Happy Trails]

What do we believe differentiates "insanity" from sociopathy?

An expensive lawyer.

 

[JohnK]

And yet it has been a legal principle since the 13th century. Looks like it is part of the legal system that will remain.

In my opinion just because it is part of the legal system does not make it right.