When it comes to law-breakers pleading insanity, we've all seen it before.
When, for instance, is murder just plain murder? Does any "level-headed" individual ever decide to kill someone? And when should one's mental state outweigh his or her heinous actions in a court of law?
Should we keep constant watch over every mentally ill person for fear that they may violently lash out on society?
On Dec. 5 of last year at around 9 p.m. two Buffalo Police Officers responded to a fight between a male and female outside of a gas station at Chippewa and Elmwood Avenues in Downtown Buffalo. Upon arrival, the male aggressor, 19-year-old Varner Harris, fled the scene.
No sooner did police begin to chase after Harris than with his .38-calliber revolver he turned around and fired at least five close-range shots at the two officers.
Neither officer returned fire.
Officer Patricia Parete was critically wounded when a bullet pierced her jaw and severed her spinal cord. Her partner, Officer Carl Andolina, was shot in the arm and neck, though managed to tackle Harris after suffering his wounds. The now paralyzed Parete is still hospitalized while Andolina recovers at home.
Harris remains locked up without bail on two counts of attempted aggravated murder.
This is not the first time Harris has had a run-in with the law. In fact, this latest crime occurred while he was on probation for a prior offense.
In defense of their son, Harris's parents claim that he has a history of mental illness, and Harris' attorney is considering a plea of insanity.
But is such an excuse viable in this case?
Harris's parents unmistakably recognize their son as being mentally handicapped. Is it unreasonable to say that with this knowledge they should have arranged for their son to have suitable supervision, especially considering that he has been convicted of criminal offenses in the past?
Harris now openly admits that he knows his actions were wrong - in other words, this attempted murderer clearly knows the difference between what is right and what is wrong. Could his actions then be classified as just a "bad decision?"
Who is at fault here, a gun-wielding teenage delinquent or his two parents who didn't keep close enough tabs on their mentally ill son who had the wherewithal to obtain and repeatedly fire a gun?
Either way, someone needs to be held accountable.
UB administration takes a stand
Black speaks at Amherst board meeting on off-campus apartments
Monday's meeting of the Amherst Town Board was attended by a very special guest on a very serious mission: preventing the construction of yet another off-campus housing complex like the University Village at Sweet Home.
The guest was UB Vice President for Student Affairs Dennis R. Black, speaking on behalf of the UB administration.
Amherst Police Chief John J. Moslow also spoke to the contentious housing issue.
Both men cited valid concerns on the topic of new off-campus student housing, including a reduced academic performance on behalf of students living off campus, as well as public safety matters related to an increased dependence upon the Amherst Police Department.
Where do you stand on the issue?
Are you a student living in an off-campus housing complex similar to those being proposed near Sweet Home Road? How do you feel about the quality of your living arrangements? Has your academic record been affected? Do you feel safe? E-mail your thoughts to spectrum-eic@buffalo.edu.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
