Not Guilty

Do insane people know they are insane? I might be crazy for asking; but, If you were insane, would you know it?

I always wonder about people who avoid the death penalty by claiming they are insane. I don't mean the people who's lawyers and psychologists deem them to be so; I am talking about the people who say "I killed him/her/it because I am insane."

The problem with insanity is, people tend to think it will get them out of trouble. Do you really think that insane people; I mean--really, truly insane people know that they are insane? I don't believe they do.

How can you judge whether or not a person is sane? I guess, judging by some of what I've seen in our criminal justice system, that we just take their word for it.

Charles Manson is, in my humble opinion, a sick twisted human being not deserving of that title. In the late eighties, Geraldo Riverra did an interview with him. I am not a professional when it comes to the ability to make judgment on a person's mental health; however, he does behave remarkably similar to those I have had contact with that are diagnosed schizophrenics.

I once met a guy, let's call him Gary. He was a schizophrenic and was under treatment by his doctors, and he lived with his parents in a suburb of the city in which I work. There was a call for a disturbance at a local restaurant; one of those all night diner places. He was reported missing by his family and he was found here. Gary was sitting at a table in the corner drinking a cup of coffee.

He was refusing to go with the police, and we were there just in case we were needed. A couple of us sat down with him, hoping to win his trust and then he'd go with us without any problems. He shook our hands and started talking like we were old friends. He told me that he had a girlfriend who was Chinese, and she was a Communist. Then he proceeded to tell me that Ronald Reagan (who was no longer president at this time) had stolen his (Gary's) nuclear-powered calculator, and intended to sell it to the Russians; and that he was going to find the "President" and kick him in the knees.

After this captivating story, he switched abruptly to singing which turned out to be some commercial he made up for Pepsi-cola. It wasn't really all that bad; it was just too long for any commercial spot. One of the guys stood up, and stretched, saying something along the lines of , "Gee, I didn't realize how late it was, my family will be worried." On cue, we each look at our watches and agree and look at Gary and say "Hey, you know we can give you a ride to your house so you don't have to walk." He agreed to go and we got him home without any major problems.

What was my point? Oh! insane people. Where I meant to go with that was -- I don't feel that insane people KNOW they are insane. So, for someone to get on the stand and exclaim "I didn't know what I was doing, I am INSANE," is ludicrous. Its one thing to have a psychological illness; but most of these people still know right from wrong. Even in some of the most disturbing cases of murder, I feel the criminals knew exactly what they were doing. They just got some sick enjoyment out of it; for example, somebody like Jeffrey Dalhmer. He likely knew what he was doing was wrong, but it turned him on. That is what makes it so disturbing.

I got away from the point again. I do have one, there is just so much that I could say on this topic. The problem is, its easy to say too much and politics can get messy. I just think that if someone knows enough to say I must be insane, then they know what they did was wrong, therefore, they are sane. Sanity doesn't come and go like heartburn. You either have it or you do not. There is no middle ground on this.

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31 Oct - perotheus.com
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