I am wondering if a Homicidal Mindset can be inherited.

[Siren]

 

[HeavyStick]

why not.... if there is a "fat gene" and a "cancer gene" having a "psychopath gene" would be fit with the theory of some problems being inherited.

now where's the nymphomaniac gene and how do I get in 'em

 

[Purple Haze]

Hate is taught at home...

 

[Azwed]

Without knowing anything else about the case thats what I would use as a defense or at the very least a part of my defense.

I don't know how well grounded a defense like that would be psychology or whatever but it is somethign to start with.

 

[Siren]

 

[deliciously_naughty]

nature vs nurture is a very old argument, and we could go into it again, but I honestly think some people just go bad. They feel very sorry about it when they get caught, but they mostly are sorry that they are going to have to pay the consequences. So they think up stuff like that...

Before people yell at me...I do think that abuse creates a cycle. But I also think that it's one we can recognize and change. And its a far step from abuse to murder like those two committed.

If I'm not making sense, I'll have to take another try tommorrow when I'm more awake

 

[HeavyStick]

and so is apparently MURDER.

and cooking in the Dahmer household

 

[bored1]

I believe that you are a product of your environment. If Weaver was raised in a home where there was hate and contempt for women then its fair to say his behavior was learned. However there is no defense for what he has done. Perhaps, if his execution were to be televised, it just might discourage some other fruit cake from raping and murdering a child.

 

[brisbon]

if raised by a homicidal manic

How many children that survived Hitler's camps went on to commit murder as adults?

I believe we may be predisposed to certain traits, yet are ultimately responsible for our own actions.

 

[Purple Haze]

There's nothing biological about hate, no gene.

Nobody is born mean, not even dogs.

It's environmental,

inherited still...

 

[Siren]

 

[WhatsHerName]

I would think that it could be considered a type of mental illness which can be herditary. I would think that some things are learned traits as well...lets just hope that he doesn't have any children of his own. He is a sick twisted man, who deserves to be on death row with daddy..maybe they can die in the same chair.

 

[intrigued]

You guys cover it all, and quickly too!

Yes, I think it is possible that his home environment tremendously affected him, how could it not? This lends understanding, it does not leave him without responsibility.

 

[brisbon]

but cant you just see this psychological defense being waged?

Yes, I'm not saying its valid, but ...Its just to damn bizarre not to.

 

[Siren]

 

[Nora]

We already know that certain mental illnesses can be hereditary, I just don't think anyone would be able to tease out of this case which threads are due to hereditary factors and which would be due to environmental.

This family makes mine look like the genetic crock of gold, honestly. If I was his daughter, I'd go have my tubes tied just in case.

 

[HeavyStick]

I agree with you all............

but cant you just see this psychological defense being waged?

so what if it is brought up in court?

he's not mentally incapable of knowing right from wrong, if it is a true sickness (regardless of origin), then most likely any death sentence will not be considered, he'll still be tried and punished to a degree.

 

[Siren]

 

[Siren]

 

[HeavyStick]

maybe so..... but what title would you give it?

 

[Siren]

maybe so..... but what title would you give it? HEAVY STICK.

 

[brisbon]

We already know that certain mental illnesses can be hereditary

Agreed.
Yet people who commit these kinds of acts think long and hard on method and evasion. They pick victims that cannot fight back, or victims that have no chance for escape. They are like the fox in the hen house, they don't only kill because they have to, they kill because they want to, I think there comes a point when they are not covered by the blanket of insanity.

 

[Siren]

 

[brisbon]

What we have seen over the course of this last year in regard to crimes like this, Its terrifying ...what is to come?

 

[Nora]

I agree, Brisbon, and I don't know that in all cases a mental illness would speak to the legal definition of mental incapacity. To me that's a good thing, btw.

Siren, aren't crimes against children statistically down this year? My coworker is a rabid true-crime/trial watcher and she mumbles stuff all day long, and I think she mentioned that, but since I was here posting on Lit I wasn't paying attention.