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New York, 4:29 AM
Sun Dec 6
14 posts in the last 24 hours
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09/18/09
first of all, it's my understanding (and my expertise on this matter is limited to several episodes of L&O and exactly one summer course in forensic psychology), NGRIs ("not guilty by reason of insanity" defenses) are actually pretty uncommon.
of course, this has become a pretty high-profile case, so who knows... if his defense attorneys do go the NGRI route, Clark would have to first demonstrate to a clinician's satisfaction that he actually suffers from some legitimate DSM-IV diagnosis
but part of why NGRIs are so rare is that a clinical diagnosis doesn't just excuse a defendant from the charges. In fact, NGRIs can be very unappealing to defendants because instead of walking out of court scot-free or receiving some kind of determinate sentence, the judge can — depending on the diagnosis — commit the defendant to a psychiatric facility indefinitely.
I don't know what kind of sentence he'd be facing under Connecticut's homicide statute (or whatever plea terms the DA might offer), but at least in some cases, doing jail time is actually preferable to claiming insanity because at least you know you're getting out.
(That point might be moot, of course, if he's looking at a life sentence, the death penalty, etc.)
considering the police have forensic evidence, I doubt this'll make it to trial. I think he'll take a plea for some sort of reduced sentence, especially if this accomplice business gives him any bargaining power.
09/18/09
09/18/09
Axis I: Intermittent Explosive Disorder (312.34), rule out Impulse Control Disorder NOS
Axis II: r/o Antisocial Personality Disorder
Axis III: Hella bruises and scratches
Axis IV: Legal problems, on trial for murder
Axis V: 40
There's your legitimate DSM IV multiaxial diagnosis, although I don't think it's sufficient to keep this guy out of prison or say that he's "insane".
09/18/09
"They didn't strike me as someone who would try to kill somebody." [gawker.com]
Maybe the neighbor knows something?
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09/18/09
I bet it'll be something stupid/unstable like that...
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09/18/09
And he'll probably spill all. He has that; "I did a bad, bad thing, and I need to tell someone" look about him. I'm guessing if it wasn't some sort of chemical induced crazy, Annie Le was on the fast track, and he was stuck in the mouse poop, so naturally he snapped. And by naturally I mean, crazy-as-a-hatter, and unable to deal with his inadequacies i.e. the chex-mix combo for most nutters who murder pretty, successful, people.
09/18/09
Also, working at Yale as a C&T is not that bad. There's a union. A lot of benefits. Once you're in the system you'll have a job for life. There's also overtime for employees in his category. If this guy thought his job was inadequate given the experience and background he has, then maybe an insanity plea is appropriate.
09/18/09
09/18/09
So yeah, an insanity plea may not be too far off the mark.
09/18/09
This does not an insanity plea make. Envy is a rational motive in the eyes of the law, and is evidence of sanity, not insanity. Insanity would be like if he thought she was the devil or his dead grandmother.
09/18/09
Also, you rarely have rich graduate students, especially ones in science.
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09/18/09
Also: He should get the death penalty for those horrible tattoos, other crimes aside.
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09/18/09
I know he was obsessed with her but what was the interaction that they had? I hope he confesses everything.
Guessing his attorneys will use some baloney self defense or accidental excuse to reduce his sentence.
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09/18/09
This sound like an insecure person with no power attempting to assert dominance over someone who appears to have it all.
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09/18/09
I read Gawker everyday, and I enjoy it, but I am consistently convinced that it simply lacks anything resembling a self critical process.
09/18/09
09/18/09
He concludes: "Members of the elite press identify with Harvard and Yale—even if they didn't go there. They may work for someone who went, or wish they'd gone, or hope their children go. . . .The murder-happy tabloid press, on the other hand, has always taken special joy in showcasing the pain of the high-and-mighty."
09/18/09
So while I am happy to read Top Chef re-caps because I can't watch it, I do appreciate Gawker reporting real news.
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09/18/09
The real reason for stories likes this is the same reason as the constant invocations of 9/11: giving shallow, self-obsessed commenters an opportunity to play act moral seriousness.
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There is justice in a world of fashion compassion.
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