Man who beheaded fellow bus passenger wants to live on his own

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

You're right. I don't understand how someone can viciously murder a random person and say the voices told them to do it.

Paranoid Schizophrenia. It can make the outlandish propositions or unfeasible things seem real, correct, and logical. Reality can be warped so gradually and seamlessly that it can feel like nothing has changed. This is why he was found not criminally responsible. He was so mentally ill that he could not distinguish real from imagined; right from wrong. He was not of sound mind.

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

Then have essentially zero accountability for those actions. I don't dispute the fact that he's not criminally responsible, but that doesn't mean you get let off so easily. There's got to be some accountability there.

Sometimes justice has no component of vengeance in order to be just. As much as we grieve for Tim McLean and his family if Vincent Li was found not criminally responsible for his death and indignities then justice dictates that he not be punished as if he were guilty. Being found to be NCR didn't result in Vincent Li being walked out the courtroom doors with a taxi chit in hand. He has spent years in psychiatric care under the care of medical professionals while undergoing rehabilitation. Medical professionals who would be certified to be practicing in the field of psychiatry and have supervised his treatment. When they approved his release it wasn't a matter of leaning back in their chairs, glancing at him and saying "Ah, you're alright" in between games of Microsoft Solitaire. It took a long time.

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

If I were in his shoes I would understand the public's desire to lock me away for the rest of my life.

He does.

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

I really don't care at all about what he wants.

That's why psychiatry is left to the professionals.

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

How can he be trusted to make decisions for himself?

We can't develop a department of pre-crime. Logic and law dictate that people should not be punished for what they might do; only for of which that they are found guilty. I appreciate the concerns for public safety but recidivisim rates among those who have been found to be NCR is lower than for those who have served time in prison after being found guilty.

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

He may be a victim in one sense, but he's still a murderer.

No, he's not. While he was involved in the death of Tim Maclean he was found not criminally responsible for the death.

[jayswin]

Wow, Reaper. Excellent response. /thread

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Cyclops

Criminals that commit worse crimes are let out every day in Canada and no one bats an eye. At least this guy seems to be doing everything that is asked of him.

Any sexual predators that are most likely going to commit another crime released in your area today? Those are the people that should be kept behind bars.

Whats worst than cutting off someones head? 2 heads?

Name one worst crime where the person got out 8 years later.

[jayswin]

Worse/worst transgressions are the worse.

[Duruss]

NSFW!

Man it must be awkward for him to ask for head from his girl/boy friend.

Now on a realistic yet redneck side. He was at the time crazier than a #### house rat, but thanks to modern science he can be helped.

Now he has a mental illness not an injury, so he will always need to manage his illness.

It is societies role to realize that this man was horrifically ill and that he can be treated, but it is the laws role to protect us. I feel that the law can do this by ensuring he continues treatment, as his treatment should ensure safety for us and enable him to be a productive member of society which is the best outcome for all.

Now all that said if it happens again, then I take it all back.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Dealing with paranoid schizophrenia might be the worst thing I can think of.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Dealing with paranoid schizophrenia might be the worst thing I can think of.

There are videos on Youtube that simulate the hallucinations that schizophrenics get. They're terrifying.

[polak]

There's things you can eat that will give you some taste of crazy too.........

[Robo]

I really feel he shouldn't be aloud to live on his own

[8sPOT]

Reaper I don't dispute anything you say. Makes total sense. I just know there's no way I would be comfortable having my kids around him. Maybe that's irrational because with the proper medication and treatment he can be helped. But for me, I couldn't move past it. Maybe I'm in the minority here and if so that's a great sign for society as a whole!

[ken0042]

My thinking is that he is not criminally responsible, because when properly medicated he is a different person. How can we be certain he will continue taking his meds forever?

I agree that he may be a victim to a certain extent. However what about the witnesses and first responders? Will they suffer from PTSD worse knowing he is out there? One police officer already committed suicide over this. (IIRC)

[Dion]

Originally Posted by ken0042

My thinking is that he is not criminally responsible, because when properly medicated he is a different person. How can we be certain he will continue taking his meds forever?

I agree that he may be a victim to a certain extent. However what about the witnesses and first responders? Will they suffer from PTSD worse knowing he is out there? One police officer already committed suicide over this. (IIRC)

He will be monitored daily for the rest of his life to make sure he takes his medication.

[ken0042]

From your article it says "for the foreseeable future." Which isn't the same as every day for the rest of his life.

[spuzzum]

I'm so in favor for the death penalty for murder and extreme acts of violence. Even if it is statistically not a deterrent to minimize murder country wide, I sure sleep better at night knowing wacko jackos are about to get a jolt of electricity through their body or a bullet between the eyes.

For this case, any individual that randomly beheads an individual on a bus for any reason should never be freed. That's my opinion, even if it is not politically correct.

[Harry Lime]

The problem with letting him walk away on his own reconnaissance is that if he goes off of his meds again, there is no way of knowing if we can catch him before he does any more damage. "For the foreseeable future" really isn't enough. It should be for the rest of his life, and he should be lo-jacked.

I understand the problems and stigma surrounding mental illness, but this is an extreme case. The equivalent of him not taking his meds for a week, five years from now, is one of the most terrifying crimes in recent memory. He must be closely monitored, for life.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

I'm so in favor for the death penalty for murder and extreme acts of violence. Even if it is statistically not a deterrent to minimize murder country wide, I sure sleep better at night knowing wacko jackos are about to get a jolt of electricity through their body or a bullet between the eyes.

For this case, any individual that randomly beheads an individual on a bus for any reason should never be freed. That's my opinion, even if it is not politically correct.

When you say wacko jackos I hope you know you are talking about a guy who has a very serious mental illness in which untreated his life is essentially a living hell.

Do you happen to have any disparaging names for people with cancer or AIDS by the way?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by ken0042

From your article it says "for the foreseeable future." Which isn't the same as every day for the rest of his life.

Yes it's true the article didn't say everyday and I stand corrected. To be clearer I read that quote as meaning that practices regarding his taking the medication daily will remain the same until a better option comes up in regards to his treatment or they discover a cure. I just don't see a sinerio where he's allowed to live in the community without any monitoring of his medication.

[rubecube]

You know this board has strict rules surrounding disparaging comments based on race, sexual orientation, etc. There's really no reason why that shouldn't be extended to dehumanizing nicknames for the mentally ill.

[spuzzum]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

When you say wacko jackos I hope you know you are talking about a guy who has a very serious mental illness in which untreated his life is essentially a living hell.

Do you happen to have any disparaging names for people with cancer or AIDS by the way?

Actually no. Wacko jacko means murderers and people who commit extreme acts of violence - not the mentally ill.

I clearly state in this case the individual should not be freed.

For people with cancer or any life threatening diseases, it's extremely sad and tragic.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

For people with cancer or any life threatening diseases, it's extremely sad and tragic.

You don't see any sadness or tragedy in the lives of schizophrenics?