Inherit "killer" genes...

[Cod]

Man on death row blames his killings on "bad blood" inherited from dad. (http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/07/13/bad.blood.ap/index.html)

Just curious, do you guys think there is any truth to this? Or just a guy trying to get off death row?

[Suicidal Anomaly]

Everyone is the controller of their own destiny and chooses the path they take in life, I don't buy it at all.

[philly]

Ugh...only in Philly.

I don't think he's actually going for the "bad blood" angle, but more so the mental anguish, etc due to his father being who he is and where he spent his sons life. The guy has a case if he can convince the court he suffers from mental issues based on his childhood and father figure. Hey, its the latest craze in avoiding the death penalty, anybody can use it.

[Halfbreed]

youd be surprised how much cellular activity and chemicals in our body impact the way we act/are..

[othell]

Originally posted by philly
Ugh...only in Philly.

I don't think he's actually going for the "bad blood" angle, but more so the mental anguish, etc due to his father being who he is and where he spent his sons life. The guy has a case if he can convince the court he suffers from mental issues based on his childhood and father figure. Hey, its the latest craze in avoiding the death penalty, anybody can use it.

He was only 6 months old when his father was placed on death row... So I believe they actually are going for the whole "bad genes" defense.

And if his genes really are bad.... and can cause such violence... Why, especially after he's done such horrible things, do we want to let his genes remain within the genepool?

[Freak]

Very Rawlsian argument.

But, even Rawls would admit that such a claim isn't a valid reason for legal preceeding. The purpose of the courts and such is as much for safety and deterrence as it is for punishment. MAYBE, if someone bought that argument, they could justify life in prison without parol, but that'd be about it.