Posted by Scott L. Schofield on March 7, 2000, at 21:44:21
In reply to abuse of insanity defense, posted by Elizabeth on March 5, 2000, at 8:17:22
> I don't agree 100% with my psych & law professor's opinion that the insanity defense should be abolished altogether. But it does seem like the existence of easily-bribed professional expert witnesses like Br*ggin who can use pseudoscience to twist any set of facts to suit their needs, combined with the shocking gullibility of some juries, results in acquittals or reduced sentences for persons who were in no way "insane."
>
> This sort of fiasco is an affront to those who have experienced true psychotic episodes, and I'm afraid that one day it will be impossible for the truly insane to be found not guilty because the defense is so over-used.
I wish to state a fact and an opinion.First, the opinion: I do believe that the "insanity" defense has a place in our justice system, and is an important protection for those of us who are for some reason caught in a state of altered consciousness. Of course it can be abused, just like any other “loop-hole” the government makes available. These represent opportunities to take advantage of, and it is a defense attorney’s job to take advantage of them. I agree with much of Elizabeth’s appraisal of the situation. However, I believe more responsibility must be placed on the judges, for they are to provide the guide upon which the jury must base their decisions. It is the judge who must define the word “insanity”, and what it comprises, as discreet legal definitions and principals. Otherwise, the decision of whether or not a person can be held responsible for their actions may be little more that an expression of a juror’s passions.
Secondly, a fact: Antidepressants are PSYCHOTROPICS – they change the psyche. I know for fact that antidepressants can precipitate suicidality. Scott + moclobemide = suicidality.
Not fact: There must certainly be a neurochemical substrate for suicidality if it can be induced “artificially”. It can. So must there be a neurochemical substrate for psychotic aggression, for it too can be induced through the application of foreign agents. I’ll let the psychopharmacologists among us list them. I believe Prozac to be one such agent.
- Scott
poster:Scott L. Schofield
thread:25642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000302/msgs/26312.html