In Reply to: Re: speaking of Scientology posted by Joseph on September 24, 2003 at 05:27:42:
Patty Hearst was kidnapped, raped, wet herself in a closet she was kept in, feared for her life on a daily basis. I believe the Stockholm syndrome for her and for Elizabeth Smart are explanation enough for their actions. When Hearst went to jail little was known about this, and I believe had the situation occurred today there would have been more consideration for it, legally speaking.
With regards to Son of Sam, he was truly insane, but due to his actions (serial killer) needed to be locked up, imo without the possiblity of parole in an institution for the criminally insane where he could also be studied by forensic psychologists.
As far as the Menendez brothers go, they seemed pretty calculated in killing of their parents, and this, or parents killing kids, seems more commonplace (sadly enough) these days. I have known of extremely well-off families doing the most bizarre things to their kids and getting off scott free. In fact, with protection from law enforcement. I don't see Maria as a victim really because she has pretty much always been at the top in the family, and now she IS the top. She also reinforced everything Berg had to say. IMO, after he died she had the chance to turn things around instead of go on with the insanity. I see her as the Baby Jane-ish type. Daddy died and she has her Peter who like the man in the movie feeds off of her sick self.
Certainly people directly abused by her have the right to go after her to the fullest extent of the law. And in true family fashion, there would be scapegoats that would be blamed and take the fall for anything amiss.
Andrea Yates had a professional witness (Dr.) who testified against her saying he believed that she drowned her children because she watched it happen on a popular television show. He made her look calculated and evil which the prosecution is paid, and he was paid to do. Even though they found out that such a show NEVER AIRED, the Dr. was no-billed.
A.Y. is certifiably severely mentally ill, she had a husband that was talking about getting married again and having another family in the future while she was still in the trial process. He pushed her into fanaticism (because as with a child, she was vulnerable because he knew she had a mental illness that was severe) and they followed a weird extremist fundie. There were many people responsible for what happened to those kids. I guess the person with the best connections and the most money is untouchable, like O.J.
Of course, these are just my opinions. I guess these are the discussions that should happen at the academic board? Or at Gen X? I would have gone there, but figured you might not see the reply.