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12-10-2010, 02:06 PM
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Location: Coachella Valley, California
15,612 posts, read 39,619,764 times
Reputation: 13443
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Insanity was a loser from the start. Federal courts apply the M'Naghten test for insanity, and this character failed to meet the elements of insanity. But, I've no doubt he has a screw loose somewhere ....
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12-10-2010, 02:27 PM
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Location: Salt Lake City
26,309 posts, read 27,663,542 times
Reputation: 12553
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I was very happy, though not at all surprised, to hear the "Guilty" verdict. Living in Salt Lake City, I have been caught up in this case since Elizabeth first disappeared and was thrilled when she was found alive. I know people always complain about having to serve on juries, but I would have given anything to be part of the group of people who put this sick, perverted excuse for a human being away.
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12-10-2010, 03:08 PM
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8,862 posts, read 16,588,136 times
Reputation: 2280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Katzpur
I was very happy, though not at all surprised, to hear the "Guilty" verdict. Living in Salt Lake City, I have been caught up in this case since Elizabeth first disappeared and was thrilled when she was found alive. I know people always complain about having to serve on juries, but I would have given anything to be part of the group of people who put this sick, perverted excuse for a human being away.
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Absolutely. It galls me that how many taxpayer $ were wasted to 'defend' this loathsome being.
His daughter was quoted as saying, 'I don't know how the jury failed to find my father insane.' At first I was offended. Then I realized that there is truly not much you can say at such a point and not be criticized.
My own brother had mental issues---it seemed. Meth user for years and it was difficult to know if he was 'out of his mind' or in an altered state. He always seemed to have 'just enough' of a grasp on reality to hold himself together in court.
I would imagine that after receiving his sentence which should be life w/o parole, imo, at some point he will completely snap and end up in a psychiatric prison.
What incredible people Ellzabeth and her family must be. I hope Jaycee Duggard fares as well. |
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12-10-2010, 03:43 PM
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Location: Salt Lake City
26,309 posts, read 27,663,542 times
Reputation: 12553
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TakeAhike
Absolutely. It galls me that how many taxpayer $ were wasted to 'defend' this loathsome being.
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Oh well... due process, I guess. At least the Smarts can "sort of" put this behind them now.
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His daughter was quoted as saying, 'I don't know how the jury failed to find my father insane.' At first I was offended. Then I realized that there is truly not much you can say at such a point and not be criticized.
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Wow! I hadn't heard that. Well, I think the real problem is that the general public does not accurately understand what "insane" means. Nobody is contesting the fact that Mitchell had a whole slew of mental problems. So yeah, you could say the guy was "crazy." But did he know that it was wrong to kidnap a child from her own bedroom at knifepoint, abuse her in numerous disgusting ways, rape her repeatedly, take her across state lines, and threaten to kill both her and her family if she tried to escape? Of course he did. He knew what he was doing and he knew how to work the system. Look how long it worked for him!
On a related issue, about seven years ago, my husband was at work when he overheard a co-worker mention that she was going to visit her mother in jail after work. Turns out it was one of Wanda Barzee's daughters! Bizarre, huh? It's like you never stop to think that these people have families of their own, sons and daughters you're interacting with on a daily basis.
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What incredible people Elizabeth and her family must be.
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Seriously, they are! The amount of composure and poise Elizabeth demonstrated during the trial just blew my mind. I don't know if most people realize this or not, so I'll just mention it. Elizabeth left Salt Lake City a few months back to serve a mission for the LDS Church in Paris, France. She was permitted to come home to testify and will soon be returning to Paris. I simply cannot imagine how she has been able to get on with her life as well as she has. Someday, she's going to make some man an incredible wife and some kids an incredible mother.
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I hope Jaycee Duggard fares as well.
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Oh, me too! I haven't heard a lot about her since immediately after she was found, but I've got to say I was extremely impressed at how she'd taught her daughters to read and write and how she'd managed to survive living in a tent for all those years. Have you heard how she's adjusting so far, and how things are between her and her mother? It must have been a huge adjustment for both of them, in spite of the tremendous relief that her imprisonment was finally over. |
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12-10-2010, 04:07 PM
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8,862 posts, read 16,588,136 times
Reputation: 2280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Katzpur
Oh well... due process, I guess. At least the Smarts can "sort of" put this behind them now.
Wow! I hadn't heard that. Well, I think the real problem is that the general public does not accurately understand what "insane" means. Nobody is contesting the fact that Mitchell had a whole slew of mental problems. So yeah, you could say the guy was "crazy."
But did he know that it was wrong to kidnap a child from her own bedroom at knifepoint, abuse her in numerous disgusting ways, rape her repeatedly, take her across state lines, and threaten to kill both her and her family if she tried to escape? Of course he did. He knew what he was doing and he knew how to work the system. Look how long it worked for him!
On a related issue, about seven years ago, my husband was at work when he overheard a co-worker mention that she was going to visit her mother in jail after work. Turns out it was one of Wanda Barzee's daughters! Bizarre, huh? It's like you never stop to think that these people have families of their own, sons and daughters you're interacting with on a daily basis.
Oh, me too! I haven't heard a lot about her since immediately after she was found, but I've got to say I was extremely impressed at how she'd taught her daughters to read and write and how she'd managed to survive living in a tent for all those years. Have you heard how she's adjusting so far, and how things are between her and her mother? It must have been a huge adjustment for both of them, in spite of the tremendous relief that her imprisonment was finally over.
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I know I don't want to know more than I know about 'insanity'/mental issues.
There were several occasions that I expected to have to face the TV cameras.
As far as Jaycee Duggard I think she is still in seclusion. There was some news earlier in the year but miraculously there isn't a daily report.
It is very difficult for me to listen to the sordid details. It's gratifying when there is some semblance of a happy ending. |
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12-12-2010, 10:54 AM
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4,627 posts, read 10,114,205 times
Reputation: 4262
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I don't want to get into an argument about Mormonism, but I've got to believe that Elizabeth Smart's well-being and recovery is owed in a large part to the community of support she and her family get from the Mormon Community. They support each other in ways that most of us do not. Elizabeth is fortunate to have such a strong support system.
In contrast, I don't know that Jaycee Duggard is so fortunate. Her family are not wealthy and the professional counseling may not be there. I'm sure she has those around her who love her to death, but a true community support - without judgment - is what's needed for a complete recovery (if there is such a thing).
I was called to be a juror on a death-penalty case. Having known some details the jury would never hear, I told them they didn't want me on this case. I had to fill out the paperwork anyway....it was an all-day affair. Before we were questioned by the attorneys, the defendant took a plea deal. Coward.
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12-12-2010, 12:34 PM
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Location: Orlando, Florida
43,854 posts, read 48,996,383 times
Reputation: 58735
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I think it is obvious that anyone who does this sort of thing is messed up mentally.....but it's not a defense. I can't believe his daughter spoke out at all. If he was related to me, I would move into seclusion and deny knowing him at all.
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12-12-2010, 01:28 PM
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8,862 posts, read 16,588,136 times
Reputation: 2280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GloryB
I think it is obvious that anyone who does this sort of thing is messed up mentally.....but it's not a defense. I can't believe his daughter spoke out at all. If he was related to me, I would move into seclusion and deny knowing him at all.
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Having gone through 'a lot' with my brother and his substance abuse/mental problems---if I had to make a statement that's probably about all I could have said. Clearly, many things went wrong in this individual's life--including something about religion.
I would love to live in seclusion, fwiw, but that is not possible. My mother will never be the same either.
Sitting in a prison or sitting in a psychiatric facility for the rest of your life will be much the same. |
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12-12-2010, 02:48 PM
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Location: Portland, Oregon
1,372 posts, read 2,971,471 times
Reputation: 573
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I'm glad he got life in prison. Society will be safe from him, especially Elizabeth, and he will be safe from people's wrath.
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