New Brunswick murders and the justice system

**Ristaron** · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 03:58 PM

This story was on the news when I got home today, and I came and did some research on it myself after seeing some of the reactions of some locals to the verdict.
And I have a very antagonistic view to theirs.

Amid the heartwrenching clips of crying family members and Mr. Despres being escorted to a police car by a retinue of armed guards, there were several pieces of the interviews with a bunch of the locals, all of whom were prattling on about how "the justice system has failed" or "we need to rethink the justice system"... and one that really got me. "If we're not responsible for our actions, then who is?"

To them I have to say: listen, asshole, the guy was suffering from extreme paranoid schizophrenia, a very intense mental illness. That's why the judge ruled that he couldn't be charged of the crimes. Until you have fucking lived with that condition, you don't know what is does to you. I would bet lots of money on the fact that you haven't even researched the first bit about schizophrenia. Is a severely depressed person liable for attempting suicide? Is a mentally retarded person liable for inadvertently walking on the grass?
Yes, these murders were brutal and horrifying, but the fact that the guy isn't legally able to be charged for them is not a fucking failure of the justice system. Thank God you idiots weren't in the jury box, delivering a verdict of guilty because all of a sudden something terrible happens to someone close to you. We have impartial juries for a reason. I hope you're never included in one, you sad old bitch. The guy is now on medication and is being helped for his problem; he isn't running rampant with his delusions like you would think he is from your insane reaction. There are times when nobody has to "pay" for the crime.

So, there. I've said my fill.

**Brother of Yeshua** · 03-05-2008, 04:30 PM

I agree 100% (damn good timing in conjunction with my puppy thread).

And more importantly, what does "paying" for crimes really do? If it doesn't teach the person a lesson, there's no value to the punishment. A schizophrenic man has no rationale or understanding of such a crime committed during delusions (watch A Beautiful Mind if you haven't already for a mostly accurate portrayal of what schizophrenia can look/be like). To sentence him to life in prison or to death will not solve anyone's problems. The dead are still dead, and a mentally ill man is sent away to die and rot, never fully grasping what it was that happened and where he went wrong. This would most likely fuel his paranoid delusions, and push even further away from management and survival (you don't "recover" from schizophrenia. you live with it).

He should absolutely be admitted to a inpatient MH hospital to help him learn to manage and become a successful member of society even with this disease.

Thanks for this great story to discuss Rist.

**Ristaron** · 03-05-2008, 05:02 PM

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds their reaction short-sighted and stupid.

**Brother of Yeshua** · 03-05-2008, 05:42 PM

It is both stupid and short sighted, but I can't help but feel for the people on the other side too. The difference is, however, their wounds will be more likely to heal (if they allow them to) than this man's, and sorry if these folks can't cope with losing loved ones, but they have a greater chance of thriving on their own without help.

Besides, murdering someone else isn't going to help them get over their loss and trauma in any meaningful way.

Static · 03-05-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother of Yeshua

Besides, murdering someone else isn't going to help them get over their loss and trauma in any meaningful way.

Tell that to people who can't get enough of the death penalty...

Of course I agree with you both, like usual.

**Brother of Yeshua** · 03-05-2008, 09:05 PM

People like the death penalty because people confuse vengeance with justice.

NachtEngel · 03-06-2008, 12:25 AM

Sadly, sometimes people like that do even end up in prison for life. It actually happened to a guy right near my neighborhood. He had some severe mental disorders and was arrested for murder. I know the whole story since he did date my sons mom before me. Some girl he trusted manipulated him into thinking that this guy was going to kill another person he was close to. I hope I'm being completely accurate on the details but it's been a long time since I heard about it. If I remember correctly he went to confront the guy about it. At some point the guy punched him. Then he freaked out and goes "don't hit me!" Now considering he had these disorders he was not only feeling threatened but thought someone he was close to was threatened. I don't remember the exact number but I want to say he then ended up stabbing the guy over 40 times. It was also found out that the reason the girl said the guy was going to kill the person he was close to is because she knew what would probably happen and was getting a large amount of money if the guy died. As a result a guy the has a bunch of mental disorders goes to jail for life because a dumb bitch manipulated and took advantage of him.

**Opunaya** · 03-06-2008, 06:36 AM

I can understand if the guy was faking being crazy--believe me, in the job that I'm in right now, I see that...but this guy was obiviously severely disturbed, to say the least.

I don't think you should blame him, but the people around him, who should have noticed him going crazy. Even his own mother says that she noticed him acting weird...I don't know, but it's not really the guy's fault. It's not like you wake up one morning and go "Hmm. I think I'll go batshit insane today."

**Brother of Yeshua** · 03-06-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opunaya

It's not like you wake up one morning and go "Hmm. I think I'll go batshit insane today."

Speak for yourself.

**Opunaya** · 03-06-2008, 08:39 AM

^ Yeah, well, that's the FUN kind of crazy.