Is being drunk really an acceptable defense?

[canuck]

Ohio mom spared death penalty for microwaving baby
By James Hannah, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


DAYTON, Ohio - An Ohio jury has spared the life of a woman who killed her infant daughter by microwaving her.

The jury told the judge Wednesday that it couldn't agree on whether to recommend the death penalty or life in prison for 28-year-old China Arnold. Arnold now could spend between 25 years and the rest of her life in prison, depending on what Montgomery County Judge Mary Wiseman decides.

The defence had argued that Arnold was drunk when the crime occurred and that she had no motive. Prosecutors called the crime "heinous."

Arnold was convicted Friday of aggravated murder for killing daughter Paris Talley in 2005.

[Fat Bob]

In this case, it's not a defense, it's a mitigating circumstance, and has only changed the punishment. Would the woman have microwaved her baby if she was sober? Probably not.

However, it should not allow someone to escape from justice altogether. Your actions when drunk should be treated as if you were sober. So the full weight of the law should be thrown against you if you do a crime when drunk that you wouldn't have done when sober.

As for the baby: personally I prefer them glazed and roasted, but as she was pissed she probably could be arsed to do that.

[Lili Von Shtupp]

I think I need to request in future any post that has anything to do with descriptions of awful things happening to children/babies etc, there should be some sort of warning that says "Lili don't read this or you will be reduced to a puddle of tears." I feel so sad now.

[Fresh Mint]

To be fair, I often get the munchies when I've had a few and on more than one occasion have said: "I could eat a microwaved baby".

[BFG]

To be fair, I often get the munchies when I've had a few and on more than one occasion have said: "I could eat a microwaved baby".

A whole one?

[azzam]

I think I need to request in future any post that has anything to do with descriptions of awful things happening to children/babies etc, there should be some sort of warning that says "Lili don't read this or you will be reduced to a puddle of tears." I feel so sad now.

Have to agree there. We do love the hideous news, don't we?
I don't usually read them. But couldn't miss this one as it was in the first sentence.

[sluggo]

I suspect that this women had more problems then just being drunk. How could a person in their right mind, drunk or sober, do such a thing?

[Pinklepurr]

To be fair, I often get the munchies when I've had a few and on more than one occasion have said: "I could eat a microwaved baby".

A whole one?

They do shrink in the cooking process...

[Zephyr]

I suspect that this women had more problems then just being drunk. How could a person in their right mind, drunk or sober, do such a thing?

Ditto. No way can I accept that no matter how drunk a person is, that he/she is unconscious of the fact that a baby is being microwaved!

What kind of a world do we live in ?

[Fresh Mint]

She must have got a shock when she woke up and found a cold kebab in the cot.





(OK, I nicked that from somewhere else)

[Aliya]

I so agree with Fat Blob. I dont want to be quoted on this...

[Possum]

It would be possible to drop, lose or accidentally damage a baby if you were in sole charge while intoxicated but for the life of me I can’t work out how you could cook one.

[Scrummy Mummy]

Or why.

What are maids for?

[BFG]

Or why.

What are maids for?

Too, too


Thank you!