Law and Sympathy.

Topic: Guilty as Charged, But?

Gilbert let his wife go in order to end her pain and distress. He mercy killed her according to some studies. I believe that there can be no tolertation for these killings, atleast for now. The legislature has no accomidations made for dealing with this inccident. The law is too bland and broad in this area to accuse properly. If they were to let this man go, free of charge, they would open the doors for others to do the same. An example needed to be made in order to keep this event from reaccuring in the near future.

Gilbert killed his wife at her request, to end her agony. However, he did in fact, kill her. To say that this killing was with different intention from that of a serial killer would open up a gateway for murderers to pass through. No matter the cause nor the intention, killing is killing. Euthanasia it's called. Killing out of sympathy is not to be excused, nor tolerated. Killing to make things better for that person...or for yourself is wrong, no matter the reasoning. I believe it is still a crime to kill under these particular circumstances.

Even though the law is not yet well enough defined to convict accordingly, I believe the court is right in their accusations. Though it is a bit harsh it seems, seeing how he loved his wife and had only good intentions, the courts stood firm. The decision was based in part on the affect it would take on future happening simular to this one. How would they be convicted? Could they really let just one man go? How would the court system hold against hundreds, if not thousands more or the mercy killings.

The problem in letting Gilbert go was that in doing so, an excuse had been made. An excuse that would be used for killers for years to come. The law must be furthur enhanced and explained in order to properly trial a simular situation, next time one should come about. The court system could be modified in such a way that similar crimes couold be delt with in a just manner.

It does seem that his punishment was a bit more that expected , conseidering the unusual circumstances under which this crime took place. Maybe a slightly smaller sentence would have proven a point, maybe not. One thing is for sure though, no matter the reason, the American court will not tolerate mercy killing, and tghey made a prime example out of Gilbert.

Over all, I think that the courts stood firm and took the necessary action. I can't say I completely agree with the sentencing, but a crime is a crime. Although my sympathy seems to sway torwards freedom for Roswell Gilbert, I can still clearly see the correction that needs to be made. I can still see right from wrong, and I can still see that despite the great sorrow and depression Gilbert was growing throught,he was wrong, and he broke the law. An example was made, a crime was justified, end of story.