The Seattle P-I reports Spokane murder suspect Ryan Snow slashed his grandfather's throat but is stressing he's bipolar, a not uncommon tack. We'll see if defense attorneys pick up that theme, as seems likely. A "bipolar" defense seems increasingly likely for Naveed Afzal Haq in his alleged murder of one and attempted murder of five at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle offices Friday. Meanwhile "blackout drinking" looks like it will be central to the defense in the alleged killing of four in Kirkland earlier this month by Connor Schierman. Is something wrong here? I think so.
Both in prosecution and upon conviction, heinous murders beg the ultimate sanction, not weasely evasions of responsibility abetted by defense attorneys, psychiatric consultants, addled jurists and the media. Each time the perpetrator becomes a patient, the risk grows that the real victim(s) will become a footnote, a casualty of the liberal impulse for absolution.
A University of Washington expert offers some insight on bipolar killers in a P-I article today:
...said Wayne Katon, a psychiatry professor at the University of Washington....rarely is the disorder associated with this type of crime.....(he added) "It's very, very unusual for bipolars to be killing anybody, let alone five or six people. Data would suggest that in terms of violence, the homicide rate of bipolars is lower than the general population," he said.
Haq's bipolar excuse for shooting Jews, already being talked up by his lawyer Larry Stephenson (see above link) is null and void. Likewise Schierman's repugnant defense-to-be of "blackout drinking."
King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng has two current high-profile cases - Schierman's and Haq's - in which his office must push for the death penalty, or risk looking disturbingly soft on murderers.
Let's keep in mind that life in prison isn't so bad for the type of pathological loser who gets convicted of first-degree murder: they get shelter from the elements, plus room and board, and a controlled environment free of disturbing challenges such as finding work, forming and maintaining relationships, and living life by society's rules. Each such inmate costs taxpayers aplenty, though.
It's a matter of morality, justice and lastly, cost control. Alleged murderers such as Haq and Schierman, if convicted, must certainly get the big Bee Sting.
No excuses.
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at August 01, 2006 10:19 AM | Email ThisThe whole world is bi-polar - North and South.
Posted by: Fred on August 1, 2006 10:41 AMDere goes two of my three defense's nows if I get caught wackin someone I only have sleepwalking as a defense.
Forgetaboutit
Having the PC crowd circle the wagons to defend the murderer must be just as tough for the victims families.
Posted by: bobk on August 1, 2006 10:51 AMThey have a disease that makes them murder.
We must be sympathetic with there condition and overlook the unfortunate consequences of society not being willing to deal with the condition they suffer from.
It's our fault!
GAK!!!
Posted by: JCM on August 1, 2006 11:31 AMYou're applying LOGIC until you get in touch with your FEELINGS you're just not going to get it. It is attitudes like yours that push these poor, poor people over the edge. If you would just understand and empathize with these sick people we could solve this problem.
Off to a re-education camp with you until you recant the false religion of LOGIC, you've be deluded by the evil nasty right wingers that you can apply logic and solve problems.
Posted by: JCM on August 1, 2006 11:48 AMPerp: "Its a fair cop, but society is to blame"
Police: "Yes, and we'll be charging them too."
Posted by: Fred on August 1, 2006 12:21 PMI agree Steve. I have bipolar disorder myself and know several people with the illness. Don't know a one I'ld consider homocidal, even potentially. It's really an individual thing. Straight forward murder is still simply murder. Take him or her out of society if they can't live in it.
Cheers.
Posted by: Jed on August 1, 2006 12:42 PMIn the moral relativism and subjectivism of today's progressive, all members of any "victim" class must be excused of any responsibility.
I can say that if a guy like Conner Schierman ever destroyed my life and took from me my wife and two children, the cops had better do a really good job of keeping him hidden.
This only improves the chances of conservatives gaining power, even in Blue Seattle, because folks are fed up with a system that neither protects them, nor punishes those who commit crimes. Why trust in our justice system when we don't see results?
Yeah, Norm Maleng sure as hell better push for the death penalty. I don't care what anyone says about a lawyer's sworn duty to defend. A lawyer like Larry Stephensen mounting a bipolar defense for an evil murderer is part of the problem, and ought to be disbarred.
Posted by: Jeff B. on August 1, 2006 01:09 PMWhat caused him to go on this rampage: Bi-Polar, Minority Victim, Alcohol Blackout, Sleep Disorder, Drug Crazed, Bad Childhood we will never know...because in Texas they know how to handle these clowns...they shoot them dead on the spot end of story!!!
Anyone that disagrees with you seems to be a "moonbat"... interesting approach.
I think a reasonable person could argue that life in Walla Walla, without a chance of parole, is far worse than death. I'm opposed to the death penalty, but not because it is too harsh. Because it does not serve as an effective deterrant and it is incredibly expensive compared to keeping them locked up in a dank dark cell for the remainder of thier miserable lives. It also goes against my personal religious convictions about taking another's life, but that has nothing to do with this discussion. The only reasonable argument for the death penalty (IMHO) is that is serves as revenge for the victims... and that is a pretty strong arguement actually.
Posted by: Splinter on August 1, 2006 02:39 PMAnyone that disagrees with you seems to be a "moonbat"... interesting approach.
I think a reasonable person could argue that life in Walla Walla, without a chance of parole, is far worse than death. I'm opposed to the death penalty, but not because it is too harsh. Because it does not serve as an effective deterrant and it is incredibly expensive compared to keeping them locked up in a dank dark cell for the remainder of thier miserable lives. It also goes against my personal religious convictions about taking another's life, (regardless of who they are) but that has nothing to do with this discussion. The only reasonable argument for the death penalty (IMHO) is that it serves as revenge for the victims... and that is a pretty strong arguement actually.
Posted by: Splinter on August 1, 2006 02:41 PMyeah... not an easy solution to that since it takes even more of our money to put a needle in his arm or a noose around his neck...
i can't speak from a victim's point of view because i have not been a victim of a violent crime nor have i lost a family member to a violent crime... but it seems that the way death penalty hearings are so incredibly drawn out over years and years, it would make the suffering and drama even worse. If the only available sentence was life in prison, no chance of parole, at least it is over. Again, i can't speak from a victim's perspective.
Posted by: Splinter on August 1, 2006 03:21 PMBut I think we should give these folks the benefit of the doubt, just in case they really are bi-polar, and only give them a lethal injection in the arm corresponding to their "bad pole."
Posted by: TB on August 1, 2006 03:23 PMIf the jails were set up so that these two would be locked up forever in a small dark cells with slices of nutriloaf shoved under the door, then I would go for the life sentence. But these two will have access to counseling, weight rooms, cable tv, free medical and dental care, reading materials, three squares a day, educational opportunities, etc.
I hope you are never, ever in a violent situation. It is a terrible place to be. I can't even begin to imagine what the families of the victims are going through right now while the local media is advocating education and understanding of the "issues" the killers are dealing with.
What are you going to tell the soldier who returned home for the funerals? "Hey, dude, sorry your wife and kids were stabbed to death, but the guy who did it has a drinking problem and is sure you'll understand it was the booze that made him do it, so no hard feelings, ok? And here's a pamphlet that will tell you all about alcoholism."
Posted by: Burdabee on August 1, 2006 03:46 PMWhat we have is a serious problem in the costs to process. What not limit appeals to two or three. After the appeals are exhausted, kick the horse and let him or her hang.
Posted by: snuffy on August 1, 2006 10:51 PMIf the gun shop owner did not do the back ground check then the store should also be liable (assuming the guns were purchased in the past ten years) or the government for not properly maintaining the records.
Posted by: Fred on August 2, 2006 08:24 AMBut, the first sentence, "I'm still trying to figure out how a guy with a ten year history of mental illness can walk into a gun-shop and order up 2 handguns?" We need to change our laws to make it harder for people with mental illnesses to get guns.
I wasn't and am not talking about "wide spread" gun control. You made that part up. I was talking about people with some sort of mental illness not being able to purchase firearms. I'm not sure how that would work, but it seems like something we should look into.
Posted by: me on August 2, 2006 09:06 PMwell, the privacy guys & opponents will have to compromise and have a quick check database that includes SOME limited medical (mental) info; otherwise a biometric base; as for
'making that part up,' you & I know how politicians react--punish all for the few;
however, it also says that we (society) mean business and the perp MADE A CHOICE to forfeit his life for another who did not voluntairly choose the same; if we feared making mistakes, we would never have any scientific advances, moon landings, defensive wars and other serious matters; i too am enraged at subsequent offenders--they are foisted on us by sick, righteous attorneys & judges who will not have THEIR families personally affected by these maniacs;
Posted by: Jimmie-howya-doin on August 3, 2006 10:19 AMseriously Walla Walla would seem like a five star hotel compaired to the many other places he could rot in this world. I'm sorry but I'm tired of people pittying him. Pitty Leonid who has to spend the rest of his life wondering what his boys would've been like...
Posted by: AAK on August 11, 2006 03:07 PM