Mitigating Factor: Filicide Children Killed by Parents?

[sleutherontheside]

Here is another interesting article on filicide...

http://thwts.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/the-manthe-murders-understanding-why-mothers-kill/

And a snippet...

The methods parents use to kill their children also differ from the usual methods of homicide. Women do not use guns or knives as murder weapons, nor are they intoxicated at the time of the offense. Maternal filicide is usually committed using “hands on” methods that entail close and active physical contact between mother and child, such as shaking, manual battering, suffocation, or drowning, and some indirect methods such as arson or drowning while the children are asleep or sedated.

 

[Searchfortruth]

The thing that strikes me after reading these articles is just how much people try to find some reason, any reason for the mother's behavior, when she kills her own child.

I hate that the statistics report that mothers who kill their own children are punished less severely than fathers or others who commit homicide. In Casey's case, I am hoping this won't be the case. Her behavior after the crime will be her undoing. There are no signs of a psychotic break with reality or depression, no attempted suicide. The jury will be made aware that Casey partied and was happy after Caylee's murder (per her friends)...very very happy. Casey was relieved that Caylee was out of her life.

 

[believe09]

Feel free to hit me with a trout-

BUT, I am having a hard time getting past the concept of Fillicide being a "mitigating" factor. Correct me if I am wrong, but the very definition of mitigating is something that somehow makes the verb, in this case a murder, less of a harsh truth than it really is.

Are there mitigating factors that would some how make a parent who murders their child some how less responsible? I mean there are things that might contribute, but I for one do not believe that filicide is justifiable in any way simply by the act itself. Why should I be held less responsible for your murder simply because I either gave birth to you or contributed sperm??? I should be held MORE responsible. Especially if I am an adult who has the capacity to make informed choices.

JMO.

 

[ZsaZsa]

Feel free to hit me with a trout-

BUT, I am having a hard time getting past the concept of Fillicide being a "mitigating" factor. Correct me if I am wrong, but the very definition of mitigating is something that somehow makes the verb, in this case a murder, less of a harsh truth than it really is.

Are there mitigating factors that would some how make a parent who murders their child some how less responsible? I mean there are things that might contribute, but I for one do not believe that filicide is justifiable in any way simply by the act itself. Why should I be held less responsible for your murder simply because I either gave birth to you or contributed sperm??? I should be held MORE responsible. Especially if I am an adult who has the capacity to make informed choices.

JMO.

I agree. Bill Sheaffer says that's kind of like asking for mercy to be shown because you are an orphan, when the crime you are charged with is the murder of your parents!

 

[manatee]

I would like to know the statistics on how many mothers accused of murdering their child actually plead not guilty instead of confessing. Or they plead not guilty by reason of insanity....I'm thinking KC is an oddity...that mothers confess or plead out. does anyone know?

 

[BeanE]

Feel free to hit me with a trout-

BUT, I am having a hard time getting past the concept of Fillicide being a "mitigating" factor. Correct me if I am wrong, but the very definition of mitigating is something that somehow makes the verb, in this case a murder, less of a harsh truth than it really is.

Are there mitigating factors that would some how make a parent who murders their child some how less responsible? I mean there are things that might contribute, but I for one do not believe that filicide is justifiable in any way simply by the act itself. Why should I be held less responsible for your murder simply because I either gave birth to you or contributed sperm??? I should be held MORE responsible. Especially if I am an adult who has the capacity to make informed choices.

JMO.

When you're done with that trout, please slap me with it. There would be potential mitigating factors for committing the act of filicide. I can't seem to get the concept of the act of filicide as a mitigating factor for committing an act of filicide.

Perhaps someone could explain please?

 

[Linz]

When you're done with that trout, please slap me with it. There would be potential mitigating factors for committing the act of filicide. I can't seem to get the concept of the act of filicide as a mitigating factor for committing an act of filicide.

Perhaps someone could explain please?

I thought this was the implied topic, and the title worded that way for brevity.


My interpretation only. (MIO?)

 

[panthera]

Here is another interesting article on filicide...

http://thwts.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/the-manthe-murders-understanding-why-mothers-kill/

And a snippet...

The methods parents use to kill their children also differ from the usual methods of homicide. Women do not use guns or knives as murder weapons, nor are they intoxicated at the time of the offense. Maternal filicide is usually committed using “hands on” methods that entail close and active physical contact between mother and child, such as shaking, manual battering, suffocation, or drowning, and some indirect methods such as arson or drowning while the children are asleep or sedated.

This seems to be practically a script for how Caylee most likely died. Thanks for all the information! MOO

 

[panthera]

I would like to know the statistics on how many mothers accused of murdering their child actually plead not guilty instead of confessing. Or they plead not guilty by reason of insanity....I'm thinking KC is an oddity...that mothers confess or plead out. does anyone know?

Off hand I can't recall, except I don't really remember a mother on trial for killing her child/children whose defense was SODDI. Even Susan Smith confessed. :waitasec: MOO

 

[sleutherontheside]

I know this topic is sensitive. By posting these articles and info....my purpose is to show how many experts have researched and determined that the act of filicide is considered different from a regular homicide . That is what I believe to be the mitigating factor.....not the act of the filicide itself. Here is a series of links to articles discussing different factors in filicide. Some information is rather interesting. Additionally, the use of filicide as a mitigating factor refers to removal of the DP not to an excuse or argument of innocence. I simply anticipate some of these topics to be used in the penalty phase.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/508550_3 snippet from this article...
Murder as a result of a stimulus arising outside the victim including displacement of anger with or without revenge; prevention of loss of a love object or status.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/508550_4 snippet
Category 4: Retaliating Women
Aggression directed against the spouse was displaced onto the child. This category is equivalent to cases in Scott's (1973) group 4 in which the stimulus to kill was revenge and Resnick's (1969) spouse revenge filicides. THere is no spouse in KC's case, but there is another adult with strong ties to the child.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/508550_7 Snippet
look at the role of impulsivity and neurotransmitter activity as they relate to psychiatric illness and gender differences in parental filicide.

 

[believe09]

Ah, I get it. You are stating that there is something different, perhaps, when a parent chooses to kill a child.

I guess that I would have a better understanding if we were not by and large hard wired to protect our young. So really for me the question is what is there that is different about the perps than the average person who falls in line with the genetic/evolutionary code to raise their young to independence and promote the continuance of the species.

Now I will give way to the concept of children being more likely to be in danger or murdered by someone who has been introduced into the home as a substitute parent....BUT, I would never give it the consideration of being a "mitigating factor" simply because I like to think we have stepped beyond those impulses by virtue of having reason and self control...if nothing else we have other choices, as do those who choose to murder their own children.

 

[coco puff]

Off hand I can't recall, except I don't really remember a mother on trial for killing her child/children whose defense was SODDI. Even Susan Smith confessed. :waitasec: MOO

I think Diane Downs is still saying SODDI. Even after her own children told LE the truth about their attempted murder. :furious:

 

[cloud]

I can't believe how many sick people there are out there. How can you lock your child in a trunk and then walk off as he cries? Unbelievable!!

I could't do it to anything - let alone a child!! I share your outrage. We don't have children, but our dogs think they're people and our animals feed from our hands. And the friends and neighbours's children are always welcome to pick apples or plums and to have a visit with the alpacas.

I cannot imagine how anyone could or would hurt anyone or anything, especially a child. I think it takes a particurarly sick person. Then they need very specialist treatement....

I've studied psych and micro, so I know how it can happen from a medical perspective, but IMHO, that should be treated, rather than tolerated before it does more harm.

JMHO

 

[cloud]

Ah, I get it. You are stating that there is something different, perhaps, when a parent chooses to kill a child.

I guess that I would have a better understanding if we were not by and large hard wired to protect our young. So really for me the question is what is there that is different about the perps than the average person who falls in line with the genetic/evolutionary code to raise their young to independence and promote the continuance of the species.

Now I will give way to the concept of children being more likely to be in danger or murdered by someone who has been introduced into the home as a substitute parent....BUT, I would never give it the consideration of being a "mitigating factor" simply because I like to think we have stepped beyond those impulses by virtue of having reason and self control...if nothing else we have other choices, as do those who choose to murder their own children.

Very well stated.

I choose to state it in simpler terms. There is a kindness and caring in our human heart and soul that makes one love and cherish, and prevents one from hurting anyone or anything. If that's not there, one needs serious help from a professional/s.

People who kill their children (or ANY children), or ANYBODY, for that matter... belong in a place from where they can no longer cause any harm.

JMHO

 

[Searchfortruth]

I think Diane Downs is still saying SODDI. Even after her own children told LE the truth about their attempted murder. :furious:

Yes, she has never confessed...she's a piece of work.

I am finding, through my brief readings, that most women who murder their children do not seem to get sentences equal to others who commit murder. I think the higher profile cases may offer a slight exception, this may be due to the criminals behavior that makes these cases "high profile". Diane Downs was sentenced to life plus 50 years originally, then after an attempt at escape they increased the 50 to 65 years. She has attempted escape so many times that I lose count.

Susan Smith was sentenced to life, but she will be eligible for parole in 2024. I hope they never let her out, but I have a feeling they will someday. I believe that had this been a male, with a double murder conviction (of two children nonetheless), he would never have the chance to see the light of day again. In all likelihood, he would be on Death Row.

I am hoping that Casey will be the start of a new trend, in our country, to hold mothers acountable when they take the life of a child. The fact that a parent murders their own son or daughter should be an aggravating factor, considering their position of extreme trust.

 

[PaulaF513]

I would like to know the statistics on how many mothers accused of murdering their child actually plead not guilty instead of confessing. Or they plead not guilty by reason of insanity....I'm thinking KC is an oddity...that mothers confess or plead out. does anyone know?

This is the factor that astounds me the most about this case. KC's behavior is so unusual, so beyond the pale, that I think she must be a sociopath. All her easily dispoven lies, her noncholance, her bravado....her whole demeanor...all scream that something is missing from her psyche. I don't think she really feels anything deeply except perhaps rage. She's also lazy and spontaneous. I think she did duct tape a drugged, sleeping Caylee and simply left her in the trunk because she wanted to be with Tony. Perhaps she lacked the intention to actually kill the baby....I think more likely the possibility that her actions might result in Caylee's death didn't occur to her because she didn't care. I wonder how long it took her to discover the baby was dead. Once she did, the only issue was to dispose of "it", quickly, with no concern as to the proximity to her home and move on with her life, unencumbered.

 

[Dear Prudence]

I find this topic quite fascinating. Thank you to everyone who have posted links to studies and articles on the subject. They're very interesting.

I don't think filicide is a mitigating factor that will be argued during the penalty phase, rather it is a subconscious factor that may affect some people (jurors). Statistically, women who kill their children get much more lenient sentences, or are deemed to be mentally ill instead of criminal. Whether we like that or not, it is fact. It is surmised that the reason for this is that most of us can not comprehend a mother killing her child, so we assume she must be sick, not evil, and that lends us to judging her less harshly. I'm not sure, but I think high profile cases such as this one and others like Diane Downs, Andrea Yates and Darlie Routier for instance, may be exceptions to the rule and they are judged just as harshly as if a man had done the crime. It would be interesting to see any studies done on that.

 

[sleutherontheside]

This has probaby already been discussed but while re-reviewing TL's blog I noticed interesting tags on one of his posts....

http://www.deathpenaltyblog.com/category/bipolar-disorder/



I noticed bipolar and Casey........hmmmmmmmm

 

[cloud]

This has probaby already been discussed but while re-reviewing TL's blog I noticed interesting tags on one of his posts....

http://www.deathpenaltyblog.com/category/bipolar-disorder/

View attachment 7118

I noticed bipolar and Casey........hmmmmmmmm

Thanks for that link, sleuth...

I noticed in particular number (3) in the first paragraph quoted...

JMHO

 

[Jolynna]

Off hand I can't recall, except I don't really remember a mother on trial for killing her child/children whose defense was SODDI. Even Susan Smith confessed. :waitasec: MOO

Diane Downs says to this day that a bushy-haired stranger shot her kids. Debra Green said somebody, probably her ex-husband, did it. Darlie R. said somebody broke into her house.

The ladies were all convicted.