Faith and the Law (Special Baby-Killer Edition)

A one-year-old-boy starved to death when members of his religious group

 ...stopped feeding him because he refused to say "Amen" after a meal.

At the murdering mom's request, the prosecutors cut her a deal:

[H]er guilty plea to child abuse resulting in death will be withdrawn if her 1-year-old son, Javon Thompson, comes back to life.

I know what you're thinking. April Fool's. But no.

Law experts and psychiatrists said there was no problem with the agreement because Ria Ramkissoon, 22, was mentally competent and freely entered into the deal, and extreme religious beliefs aren't deemed insane by law.

Yeah, no insanity there. I mean, since she felt compelled by God to let her baby die a drawn-out, miserable death, why would anyone question her mental capacity? That just wouldn't be respectful to the Big Guy, and to people of faith, now would it?

But maybe this is good. As she didn't enter an insanity plea, she had to bear full legal culpability for her actions, correct?

Um, not quite.

The plea deal was a good one for Ramkissoon, who was initially charged with first-degree murder. She received a suspended 20-year sentence and only has to remain in custody until she testifies against four co-defendants who are charged with first-degree murder in her son's death. She could be out of prison in August, [after] serving about a year behind bars.

You really think an atheist, mentally unbalanced or not, would have received a sweetheart deal like that?

Previous example of prosecutors' special mercy for prayerful criminals here.

Comments

[Twelvebit]

"You really think an atheist, mentally unbalanced or not, would have received a sweetheart deal like that?"

Of course not, 'cause atheists aren't part of the tribe. If an atheist commits the same criminal act as a Xtian it is evidence of his "evil nature;" whereas, for the Xtian, it is evidence of his special relationship with Jesus.

[Phelps]

Yeah, non Christians never get a suspended sentence for turning state's evidence. You've convinced me.

[Timothy]

Phelps - they do, sure. But blaming some kind of invisible sky unicorn for your obviously evil behavior shouldn't get you sympathy. It should get you locked in a state hospital and given a daily thorazine ration - because you are probably schizophrenic.

[Twelvebit]

Phelps: "You've convinced me."

Most people can't be convinced of anything they don't want to believe. And even the few who are open to changing their convictions in the face of contrary evidence no doubt retain some beliefs that are impervious to any and all evidence.

In my experience most religious people are incapable of even carrying on a rational discussion about their religion. Most of them haven't seriously examined their own beliefs as is evidenced by the fact that they aren't prepared to face the most basic questions and are quick to resort to evasions such as the cliched "God works in mysterious ways."

I long ago abandoned any conceit that I can convince anyone of anything except the fact that I will not concede their nonsense, cooperate with their foolishness, or submit to their dogma. Except in rare and unusual circumstances, the only thing I attempt to convince anyone of is my opposition to whatever BS they seek to impose upon me.