Yes, sad to say racism is alive and kicking. Had this woman no been indiginous, i would suggest she would have had to fight tooth and nail to prove her point. Its a slippery slop out there.

Hi again CHRISGAFF1000...

Soldier/copper, you've done us all proud looking after your beloved Wife to the extent of a Lexus RX Hybrid, for her Birthday and/or Mothers Day. The law's an ass, but it's the best we've got I suppose. Still I've often wondered whether we'd be better off served, under the 'inquisitorial' process than our 'adversarial system that we've got now. Especially in highly topical matters as those that've currently prevailed now, in Queensland?

" Coming back to the marijuana induced psychosis that seems to be at the heart of this "Mental Court" decision, any copper of the old school will tell you that:

"Intoxication is a complete defense to any crime" ... "

Intoxication is not the same thing as being in a psychotic state of consciousness, though as you say there is some commonality in the manner in which the legal system treats this kind of defence.

These cases to me are more about a failure of governance than anything else. Specifically, a failure to identify early enough that this person suffers from a psychotic disorder of some sort.

And here again, this is likely because the people surrounding this individual were never taught how to identify the signs of mental health crisis.

I believe that First Aid training should be compulsory and should include the teaching of a broad brush identification technique of what the signs of mental health issues are and what to do if you have concerns about anyone.

I suspect that contrary to what Chris has said that it is most likely that what is at the "Heart" of this decision was a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder.

And, whilst as best I know there is no evidence to support the hypotheses that marijuana causes psychotic illness it is certainly recognised by conventional medical wisdom that marijuana and other contraindicated substances can most certainly induce a fully blown psychotic episode in the case of those who are already psychotically latent.

So, again, the trick is an early identification (which also hails the greatest hope for a recovery for the person afflicted) in the interests of everyone's safety.

Here in Australia, we live with many dangers. But say in the case of say red back spiders, do we not teach our children about them? Do we not show them the peculiar type of web? Do we not show them the ominous glaring red on the abdomen of a large poisonous female with eggs? Do we not teach them to quickly move away and alert an adult to the danger?

I wonder if this Raina THAIDAY having been found; not guilty of murder, by virtue of the McNAGHTON Rule - a 'disease of the mind'. If one day she's released from a secured hospital, as being cured. Does anyone believe, this woman will ever manage to become a functioning member of society again?

Firstly; from a community and societies point of view, will anyone give her a job? If not will she always remain a beneficiary of the generous Australian Taxpayer?

Secondly; from a personal and emotional point of view, would 'anyone' ever wish to be (personally) close to her, or be able to form a natural union with this lady, a killer of eight vulnerable little children?

Initially, I reckon there'd be many members of the media and a few writers, after her to obtain some sort of scoop on the why's and wherefores of this woman's life. Perhaps a few 'do gooders' might wish to 'cure' her of the internal evils that have somehow 'taken her over' and caused this mass killing of children?

Other than that - I wouldn't think anyone would wish to form any sort of relationship with her. She is after all, a mass killer of the very worst kind - that of eight innocent little children. Personally I hope she doesn't have a moment of peace until she herself leaves this mortal coil.

In my 32 years in the police, I've known and spoken to many killers and murderers. But this Raina THAIDAY is among the most reprehensible that I know. Moreover, I'd like to be having a beer or two with the principal homicide detective, to hear of the real facts surrounding this individual? Often it's the lead detectives of any squad who manage to tease out the real truth (admissible or otherwise) of a job.

Indeed, whilst I do not know if it is true or not, I have certainly read that individuals with a psychotic disorder of one kind or another have a well-deserved reputation for the most unspeakable of crimes. But that in itself is indicative of a wholly other state of mind wouldn't you say?

And, of course, one of the reasons that these individuals are subjected to forced treatment if they don't co-operate is precisely because the condition is well recognised as bringing about a state of mind where one no longer recognises friend from foe.

And that is why in my view it is wholly inappropriate to describe these acts as reprehensible as it carries with it the implication that the individual concerned should have known better regardless of the extent of her illness. But the medical evidence does not support this.

..

So, for all you "Holier-than-Thous" if we were to deprive you of your liberty and give you a hot shot to induce a psychotic state of mind and then dropped you out amongst the people with practically no support or guidance, one wonders how you would fair? Would you have sufficient strength of mind to control your rage and your fear, or would your mind shatter and be overwhelmed, resulting in you killing someone unwittingly?

Hmmm .. whose to say, but I think its fanciful for any of us to believe that we could know with certainty the outcome in advance.

..

It ought come as no surprise though that there is compassion and understanding built into the system on this, both because of the scientific understanding and also our Judeo-Christo roots, as JC was seemingly fond of seeking out maddies or those possessed by "Evil Spirits" and healing them and making them whole again.

chrisgaff1000

thanks for the facts and some reason. Something AJ is incapable of due to his dogmas. I noticed how quick he jumped to the defence of smoking weed. Oh well 8 lives but the warped dogma seems more important.