Quote Originally Posted by Banquo's Ghost View Post
Is your contention then that all multiple killers are insane? Does that mean, since they bear no responsibility for their actions, they should all be exonerated after a short spell in psychiatric care?




Not very practical or remotely just. Judges and juries are there to consider the evidence - they cannot guarantee that all the evidence has been presented, or is indeed available at the time. Your proposed sanction would best be aimed at the prosecution and police, surely? And if then granted, should not defence counsel then be imprisoned as soon as someone is rightfully convicted?

Perhaps we define 'serial killer' differently.

My definition would not apply to someone who kills people in a series of armed robberies for example. It would apply to someone who just murders people for no apparent reason. The first one benefits from his action, the latter does not and in my books is mentally insane (acting against his best interests and for no altruistic cause)

I dont see why holding the jury accountable is unjust. They are there to review the evidence and their validity. As you very well say evidence might be lacking. Consequently, with inadequate evidence, the logical thing is to acquit or err on the side of caution. A jury that decides to put a person to death on inadequate evidence makes an informed decision and should be held accountable for their actions. Of course if let us say evidence was tampered or mishandled by police then the jury was mislead and the onus should go to the law enforcement.