5 ms·

At least they aren't trying to straight-up murder you while you're passing by on the sidewalk. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/man-arrested-for-trying-to-thro

At least they aren't trying to straight-up murder you while you're passing by on the sidewalk. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/man-arrested-for-trying-to-throw-woman-off-seattle-overpass/931766654 https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/man-arrested-for-trying-to-... Oops, I meant, straight-up "attempted assault" you.

dmix 7y ago
> Wilson, who prosecutors say suffers from mental illness, had already been arrested three times since September 2018 for assaulting total strangers, all of those cases were handled by Seattle Municipal Court. > The Seattle Municipal Court judge made the decision to dismiss all of the assault charges stemming from these recent arrests. I have so many questions
- 14 7y ago
  I suspect it has to do with Mens Rea
tluyben2 7y ago
Why are these people not put in mental institutions (they would be here) instead of possibly jail? That is where they belong: jail and other punishment is not going to help anyone long term.
- erichocean 7y ago
  Because it's illegal in the USA, thanks to various court rulings in (IIRC) the 1970s.
  - tluyben2 7y ago
    Strange you can lock people up in prisons but not give them help they need... I understand why it would be illegal but jails are far worse for people with mental illness and it won’t work as a deterrent for them either; they come out worse than going in if they survive. So that should be forbidden too then.
  - dvdbloc 7y ago
    Is there any effort/motivation to change this? Not saying we should or shouldn't, just wondering.