Did anyone else get the impression that there was a conflict of sorts, in the opinions of the two doctors involved in his assessment? IMO
probably professional sparring. I think Dr Johnstone was a little upset by the lack of experience (in dealing with adolescents) of the author of the original report, together with the limited amount of time spent with AC to create that report (I'm not being detrimental to either Dr). I suppose in truth, it will take many years to get the measure of AC with any accuracy and even then, its a guess. Lets hope that in the intervening time (24 years less time served already) a reliable and accurate method is created to measure such behaviours.Did anyone else get the impression that there was a conflict of sorts, in the opinions of the two doctors involved in his assessment? IMO
wasn't Dr Johnstone called upon by the Defendants represent to give a 'better'/more of a view of AC?
IMO
From the report and herein lies the problem for society as a whole:
"In the appellant’s case it seems there was a dysfunctional home background, with lack of attachment, absence of boundaries and parenting problems, including a degree of physical and emotional abuse. These are all factors which may have adversely impacted on the development of the appellant’s character to date, but which may not entirely dictate development of his character in the future.
Nature vs Nurture (or lack thereof).
The report states "A report had been obtained from a forensic psychologist Dr Lorraine Johnstone, who had contacted the agents after sentencing,...." I do not know what it means by agents - but it could mean the agencies that are responsible for his care. The report goes on to state "However, senior counsel did not place any reliance on this report." and I takes it that this means AC's counsel.wasn't Dr Johnstone called upon by the Defendants represent to give a 'better'/more of a view of AC?
IMO
and now I cannot see AC ever receiving LOVE after what he has done. is there a human willing to do this? the circumstances - prison - he now finds himself, how is this possible?
so how can he change? Is he damaged beyond repair? early development being crucial to defining who we humans become as adults.
yes, he has to take accountability for his actions to start on a path of change, but without love i cannot see how he can ever be 'normal'. normal to live in society without being violent.
by 'love' I mean everything it entails that a parent gives - guidance, security, discipline, tenderness, kindness, encouragement, acceptance etc etc etc
IMO
to some extent, I agree, and that is what the professionals stated in the report, they simply do not know with any certainty.and now I cannot see AC ever receiving LOVE after what he has done. is there a human willing to do this? the circumstances - prison - he now finds himself, how is this possible?
so how can he change? Is he damaged beyond repair? early development being crucial to defining who we humans become as adults.
yes, he has to take accountability for his actions to start on a path of change, but without love i cannot see how he can ever be 'normal'. normal to live in society without being violent.
by 'love' I mean everything it entails that a decent parent gives - guidance, security, discipline, tenderness, kindness, encouragement, acceptance etc etc etc
IMO
Sadly, it would appear from the report that this has been lacking for a while. I wonder how much evidence supported the finding about his home environment and how much input his parent had?I know exactly what you mean. But there will still be someone out there who would marry him. No doubt lol.
That's obviously different from the type of love and support you mentioned though, like parental guidance and acceptance, helping him, being there for him etc. It's difficult. Don't know where he would get that.
and now I cannot see AC ever receiving LOVE after what he has done. is there a human willing to do this? the circumstances - prison - he now finds himself, how is this possible?
so how can he change? Is he damaged beyond repair? early development being crucial to defining who we humans become as adults.
yes, he has to take accountability for his actions to start on a path of change, but without love i cannot see how he can ever be 'normal'. normal to live in society without being violent.
by 'love' I mean everything it entails that a decent parent gives - guidance, security, discipline, tenderness, kindness, encouragement, acceptance etc etc etc
IMO
Sadly, it would appear from the report that this has been lacking for a while. I wonder how much evidence supported the finding about his home environment and how much input his parent had?
did she? I must have missed that - do we have access to the report?True. His mum spoke to Dr Johnstone but I'm not sure how much weight that had in the overall assessment?
did she? I must have missed that - do we have access to the report?
was this at the hearing itself, as its not in the report?Yeah, they mentioned it at the appeal. No, we don’t have access to it.
was this at the hearing itself, as its not in the report?
OK, thanks. Was his mum or his dad there?Yeah, at the hearing itself. They didn't go into detail though, just said that his mum spoke to Dr Johnstone. We won't see the full psychological report because it's confidential.
OK, thanks. Was his mum or his dad there?
Yeah. It was me. Just thinking out loud. But it wouldn’t surprise me.Edit - I should say 'mentioned here on Websleuths' and not by any media news outlet, or not one that I've seen yet.