Reply #133: You are assuming [View All]

[Sgent]

You are assuming she has the ability to make a rational decision -- like getting out of the driver seat.

Lifetime suicide rates for people with bi-polar are 4% (not attempts, but successes), compared with the society at larges 0.25%. She was sicker than all but the most manic bi-polar.

I don't think anyone is saying that this isn't horrible -- but just as we have choosen to not hold 2 year olds accountable for adult crimes, we have to understand that this person is equally incapable, during a psychotic break, to control her actions.

If you are truley parinoid schiz, and the medicine fails, you see that aren't there -- and can't tell the difference. You hear things that aren't there, and those sounds or voices are just as real as someone sitting accross the room. Add the paranoia, and she believes everyone is out to get her -- as much as freepers say they believe in christ.

What is the public policy served by putting this person in prison? Revenge is the only one I can think of, and I personally don't think we need to base our decisions around a revenge quotient.

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Note: The above, as have all my posts on this subject, assume that she was actually having an acute episode at the time of this situation. This will actually be up to a jury, who knows all the relavent facts, to decide, as it should be.