UNIT 4- case studies Flashcards
what happened? conscience
Jon Venables and Robert Thompson( 10 years old) abducted and killed
What happened? determination
Hannah Bonser (26 years old) has been convicted of the murder of a girl in a park in a random and motiveless attack.
She stabbed Casey Kearney to death in an unprovoked attack in Elmfield Park, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in February this year. She was sentenced to a minimum jail term of 22 years on Wednesday afternoon.
was she responsible for killing her? evidence
Evidence 1: A month before the stabbing, Hannah arrived at the hospital. She said she wanted to be admitted to hospital because she was a danger to herself and others. The hospital thought there was nothing wrong with her and sent her home.
Evidence 2: Hannah was known to have an emotionally unstable personality. Her doctor had given her antipsychotic drugs to control the hallucinations.
Evidence 3: by the time of the killing, Hannah used to sleep with a knife under her bed. She was scared that her body was being controlled by somebody who had died.
what does this teach us?
Hard determinists would claim that Hannah Bonser was free of responsibility for the murder of Casey Kearney.
Others may argue that as long as she had the choice to not stab Casey Kearney and bring about her death then she is absolutely responsible for her actions.
