Insanity, #1 by Andre Gonzalez

Author:Andre Gonzalez [Andre Gonzalez]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Andre Gonzalez
Published: 2020-05-24T00:00:00+00:00

18

Chapter 18

October 2013

Across the country in South Carolina, a trial was set to begin. A twenty-year-old boy had opened fire on an elementary school. He had killed twelve children and two faculty members before his gun jammed and police apprehended him.

The shooting had occurred three years prior to the trial’s opening statement. The defense prepared to defend their client under the insanity plea—if they could prove the defendant had committed the crime in a mentally ill state of mind, he could avoid jail time and be sentenced to time in a psychiatric facility.

Jeremy had filled in Dr. Siva on his new promotion and received his professor’s typical unsupportive response before he changed the topic.

“What do you think of this case?” Dr. Siva asked Jeremy in their monthly meeting.

“Honestly, I think it’s bullshit,” Jeremy said.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Dr. Siva said matter-of-factly. “While it may seem like an easy way out, it’s really not.”

“Even if this kid is insane, he doesn’t deserve to avoid the consequences of his actions.”

“Who are you to decide?” Dr. Siva asked, sitting up stiffly in his chair.

“It’s the law—you can’t kill people. He killed kids, lots of kids. No way should he be able to get away with it.”

“Are you religious, Jeremy?”

Jeremy paused, wondering at the relevance of the question.

“Never mind,” Dr. Siva said. “The point is that there are thousands of cases of mental illness that go undiagnosed. Mental illness is frowned upon in this country. You’d be surprised how many people have been executed or are rotting in a cell that actually need medical treatment.”

“That doesn’t take back what they did.”

“Look, I’m not condoning this kid’s actions, please understand that. I got chills hearing about the scene he left behind. I feel for the families, but that doesn’t mean the shooter has a healthy mind.”

Jeremy fidgeted in his chair.

“I’d like to ask you to follow this trial. Not as an assignment, but as a chance to gain some valuable insight about a dark topic within our field of study.”

Jeremy looked at Dr. Siva, trying to wrap his mind around what he was saying.

“Keep an objective mind,” Dr. Siva said. “Put your emotions aside and keep your ears open to the facts. There will be some highly experienced psychologists testifying in defense of this young man. Pay close attention to what they say. Remember, at the end of the day our job is to help people fighting battles within themselves.”

“Okay,” Jeremy said softly. “I’ll follow it.”

“Very good. I look forward to us discussing this trial.”

Jeremy felt sick to his stomach. The thought of keeping an open mind to the horrific acts done by this monster made him doubt his future occupation.

One day I could have some loony axe murderer in my office, and I might need to defend them?

“Thank you, Dr. Siva. I look forward to it as well.”

Jeremy left his professor’s office with more questions than ever.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.