Can There Ever Be Forgiveness In Some Cases?

[bednobs]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-22933317
Iain Brady is petitioning to be moved to a jail in Scotland, where he could end his life because he wouldn't be force fed, and he could take his hunger strike to its logical conclusion.

I am not a "hang 'em high" type of person, and have previously always believed in redemption being possible for everyone, however even i just can't bring myself to hope he gets what he wants. I wonder why in this particular case?

[LazyGun]

I do not think we should accede to any wishes from Brady.

This is the man who described his own offences as "an existential exercise" and "petty" in relation to the actions of politicians and soldiers engaged in wars.

[Khandro]

The death penalty was introduced in 1965 for several reasons one being the barbarity of the act on humane grounds. People now seem, in this case, to want him to live against his wishes as a greater punishment than dying.

[andy-hughes]

I recall the national horror and outrage at the time of the Moors Murders, because it was so unusual at that time.

Society moves on - but only one day at a time.

If the judges and judiciary at the time had been able to move forward from that time to today, and see what has transpired, they may have altered their sentencing - we can never know.

But time moves on one day at a time, and we find ourselves in this position as a result of that passage of time, so there is no simple rubber stamp solution to be found here.

I tend to agree with the notion that Brady is not of sufficiently sound mind to make a decision regarding his life or death, and the rules we apply as a society in these cases are not null and void on the basis of his crimes.

If he does know where Keith Bennett is buried, then that is the one small piece of power he has left, and he will die with it, I am sure.

[LazyGun]

@Khandro - You mean repeal rather than introduce in 1965 don't you?

If he is not of sound mind then I think we have an obligation to keep him alive, so we do not accede to his wishes.

If he is of sound mind then I think he should be returned to Durham prison to serve out his time - and if he goes on hunger strike, not to force feed him but allow him to die. But we should not accede to his wishes by sending him to a prison of his choosing..

[Khandro]

LG Yes, I meant life-sentence replaced the death penalty '65. It was to be for a 5 year trial period and was voted in the house to be renewed indefinitely in 1969.
My personal view is that one's life belongs to oneself and even the worst criminal should be allowed to end it if he so wishes. Keeping a person alive against their wishes as punishment, is torture, and I disapprove of torture.

[LazyGun]

Then we agree- wow .....

[Ellipsis]

> My personal view is that one's life belongs to oneself and even the worst criminal should be allowed to end it if he so wishes.

I agree, but I think that once somebody has stated they wish to end their lives, some time should be allowed to pass before their wish is acceded to. In the case of a prisoner, perhaps five years. For people suffering a terminal illness, much less ...

[maggiebee]

And........we DON'T WANT HIM IN SCOTLAND!

[mikey4444]

This evil man has been described in the past as a very dangerous, very manipulative person. This is not the first time he has asked for an easy life. He has had plenty of time to say he is sorry.

I just hope he dies soon and saves us all a great deal of trouble and money. If he tells where all the bodies are before he goes, than all the better. But I don't think we should be holding our breath however

[ludwig]

// And........we DON'T WANT HIM IN SCOTLAND! //

Back in Scotland you mean. He'd only be there as long as it takes to starve.

[FredPuli43]

The psychiatrist called by Brady said that Brady fell short of being insane, for this purpose, by any normal measure. That translates into "Brady is having you on. He loves the attention. If you let him alone, without all this fuss, the likelihood is he wouldn't starve himself to death"

[Old_Geezer]

In which case he would no longer has that game to play. And we could dispense with this charade of feeding someone who claims not to want to feed.

(I think it a pity some still mix up vengence with doing the right thing.)

[Khandro]

OG. Do you know what force feeding entails? It isn't a game.

[Old_Geezer]

Not to you maybe. But are you pivvy to the mind of Iain ?

[Canary42]

The repugnance I felt at the time of his crimes has not diminished, so the punishment should continue. What those innocent children went through is so horrible, that redemption is not an option.

[emmie]

not in his case, i read some of the transcripts of the tapes of these crimes, and what the children suffered, he can stay put and die

[ladybirder]

I too remember the tapes of Lesley Ann Downey pitifully begging them to stop and crying for her mother. Those tapes alone would have done for him, once heard never forgotten, they were heartbreaking. He has no remorse to show. If anyone can be called evil it is him. Rot in hell Brady.

[starone]

I agree with him having to suffer. If it was my child he had tortured I would want the same torture to be inflicted on him on a daily basis. He deserves nothing but the worst we can give him. I know it is probably petty revenge but at least he would know what he had done and how people feel about him.