"Not Guilty" By Reason of Insanity

I was online today just checking things out and I read something very disturbing. A man who was already incarcerated on murder charges poked out his own eye, and ATE IT!!! Not only is the incident disturbing, what is really disturbing is how our legal system ignore individuals who already need help.

A Texas death row inmate with a history of mental problems pulled out his only good eye, authorities said Friday. Andre Thomas, 25, was arrested for the fatal stabbings of his estranged wife, their young son and her 13-month-old daughter in March 2004. Their hearts also had been ripped out. He was convicted and condemned for the infant’s death.

Thomas, 25, was arrested for the fatal stabbings of his estranged wife, their young son and her 13-month-old daughter in March 2004. Their hearts also had been ripped out. He was convicted and condemned for the infant’s death.

The crime he committed was obviously jail worthy, but since he already had a history of mental illness, why was he in the penitentiary when he should have been in a mental hospital? Thomas was a death row inmate. I don't really agree with the death penalty, but if that was his demise then he probably should have been held at a mental hospital until his execution.

My problem is the "Not Guilty" By Reason of Insanity. I think its an oxymoron. He did it so he is guilty. I think it should be "Guilty" By Reason of Insanity. This way, in the event that someone receives this charge, they can be sent to an insane asylum, mental hospital, mental wing of the jail, etc. until they serve their sentence or are executed as in this case.

There have been several people who have been overlooked on this charge and have been placed in the general population wing of the jail putting other inmates in danger. True enough, if you are an inmate, you may have did something to be put in prison and I use the words may have very strongly because there are innocent people in jail. Inmates are already facing enough dangers from gangs and race wars in prison to have to worry about a psycho. I am not in anyway, shape, or form taking sides with convicts but I know I wouldn't want to be locked up with such individuals.

I watch the show "Lockup" on MSNBC. They visit different jails and show outsiders like us what jail life was really like. I saw an episode where a guy was in jail for killing his parents, and get this, eating their brains. Yes, you just read this correctly. I don't know about you, but I don't think this guy needed a cell mate, but the jail did. Well let's guess what he did to his cellmate. I'll give you a minute.....................................................................................................................(30 seconds remaining)................................................................................................................................Umm, he killed him. He was in jail for his parents murder, "Not Guilty" By Reason of Insanity. Why not change this to "Guilty" By Reason of Insanity and send people like him where they are supposed to go?

I know some people are reading this and saying "She's got a soft spot for criminals" but let me say that anyone is capable of going to jail. There was another guy on this show Lockup that killed an intruder who broke into his home. He was simply defending his house but in his state, it is illegal to kill an intruder, you're suppose to wait for the police. I think this guy did what most people would do if they were capable and if their life was in danger. Does he deserve to be in a cell with a person who ate his parents brains?

All I'm saying is lets get rid of "Not Guilty" By Reason of Insanity and make it "Guilty"!! Maybe this conviction will send people with obviosus issues to where they should be so they can't hurt themselves or others. What's Your Opinion????

Topic Story: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6202701.html