anleja

There is a story on the news where I live about a kid who killed his mom and sister. He admitted to doing it, but is planning on pleading insanity.

Now... is it just me, but isn't ANYONE who murders someone insane? "Insane" as in "Not functioning mentally properly"? Can anyone murder somebody while being sane?

Sure, someone who does something like kill someone during a robbery would probably not use the insanity defense, but I think they are about as insane as anyone can be to kill someone, period.

It seems to me that anyone who murders, whether is be because of disillusionment or simply being cruel, have crossed the line to being insane. Why should some be given a chance to rehabilitate themselves, while some get executed or life in jail? I think if the seed of being able to murder someone is in someone, they should be put away for a long time, if not for punishment than at least to keep everyone else safe.

Do you think people's punishments should hinge on if they are considered insane, or do you think they should all be judged based on the crime? Should they rehabilitate ALL murderers, with a chance for release? If not, where should you draw the line between someone who should stay locked up (or executed) and who can be deemed safe enough to release into the world?