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?

[woofgang]

Has he said he is sorry for what he did? Really sorry? If that is the case why hasn't he revealed where the graves of his victms are?

[bednobs]

in all honesty, who would even remember?

[bednobs]

although of course, giving him what he wants would mean i would stop having to pay for his continued existance, but because he wants it, it's a dilemma!

[ummmm]

I think they will only move him if he reveals where Keith Bennet is buried.

That's if he can even remember.

[Zeuhl]

As far as i know he has done nothing to deserve special treatment

[jackthehat]

Despite the revolting nature of his crimes, he wasn't 'prolific' in the sense that there are/were dozens of bodies buried on Saddleworth.

I imagine he knows full well where Keith Bennett is buried, and would be content, when he gives up that last piece of information, to let him have his wish.

[Old_Geezer]

I can be persuaded either way but I think I tend towards the idea that keeping this issue going for years helps no one, discourages no one, and has become a bit of a power struggle that we ought to be above. On reflection I think society should take the moral higher ground and let him starve himself.

[ludwig]

I think people like Brady should be made to serve a minimum term - 30 years or whatever, and then left to commit suicide if they want.

[Octavius]

I heard the audio tapes of the children crying and being tortured years and years ago and it has never left me. If force feeding him and keeping him in a psychiatric place is causing him suffering and discomfort to this day, then so be it.

[tamborine]

Suffer suffer & suffer evermore, for none is the suffering of denied parents and extended community.

Whinge about force-feeding, even I can think of worse torture.

[naomi24]

//in all honesty, who would even remember? //

I think most people would be likely to remember where they'd buried a child they'd murdered! I have no sympathy for him whatsoever. His wishes should not be considered - but I wouldn't object if he starved himself to death.

[paddywak]

Nicely put octavius.

[chrisgel]

I find it strange when I think about Brady and Hindley that the hatred towards them has lasted so long. Their crimes were indeed despicable and revolting but there have been far worse crimes committed since and the perpertrators have received far less severe punishments.
I seem to remember that sentencing used to take into account some element of "public opinion". Maybe this isn't so anymore. I stand to be corrected on this.
Perhaps it is time to let go of this heinous chapter of our past and let this very old and sick man have his last wish.

[bednobs]

yes chrisgel, i agree with you, which is why i am confused about my ambiguity in this case. However, i wasn't even alive when they were sentenced, so i don't understand why that "public opinion" has spilled over to me. I wonder if it has something to do with the recording of the acts, as someone mentioned previously

[Octavius]

I would hope not to be advocating some sort of Kray twin idolatry on the basis of public opinon.

[chrisgel]

Octavius - //I would hope not to be advocating some sort of Kray twin idolatry on the basis of public opinon.//
Is this directed at me? Please explain, for that is certainly not what I was advocating.

[tamborine]

Many in his age group have died and Brady doesnt deserve to share the air we breathe

[FredPuli43]

He wouldn't be force fed in this country if he wasn't insane. Why a Scottish jail's doctors would consider him sane is not obvious. If they did certify him insane , he'd be force fed there.

Normally, force feeding is illegal because it is an assault. That is true of both jurisdictions.

[sherrardk]

People with debilitating illnesses are not allowed to end their lives, why should Brady?

[Everhelpful]

Octavius,I couldn't agree more,let him rot for all I care.