There is also ample evidence in the book that Smith is indeed severely unbalanced, if not an outright paranoid schizophrenic. During the trial, he notes of Herb Clutter, the patriarch of the family that Smith slaughtered on the same night he first met them, and whom he vaguely attempted to reassure as he tried to rob the man's house, "I wasn't kidding him. I didn't want to harm the man. I thought he was a very nice gentleman. Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I cut his throat" (Capote 244). This kind of statement shows the general mental and psychological state that Smith maintained during the crime and the trial, yet the judge would not let such evidence be presented and effectively asks for the death penalty in his final instructions to the jury, following the close of the defense's case. This case took only a day to unfold, as well, compared to the week that was taken up by the prosecution's admittedly far more substantial (due to a lack of presentable psychological evidence) case.
Possible Solutions
There is arguably little that could be done for either the rules barring the presentation of real psychological evidence during the trial or the bias that the judge showed (at least in Capote's rendering of the trial) against the defendants. The defense attorneys attempted to present mitigating psychological evidence that would at least have eliminated the death penalty from the list of applicable punishments in the all but certain case of a guilty verdict, and were prevented form doing so both by this rule and by the judge. There was admittedly very little...
Abstract Expressionist Painting Artistic and Aesthetic Value in American Modernist Art during the Cold War Era Defining American Expressionism American modernism is perhaps one of the most difficult artistic periods to define. Modernism refers to a trend that affirms the power of human beings to create, shape, and make improvements to their environment. Modernism is aided by technological advances and is considered both progressive and optimistic in its approach to defining society. American
Capital Punishment: A Capital Offense in Today's Easily Misguided World The debate surrounding the usage of capital punishment in the modern era has raged for generations. While there have always been arguments for the positive aspects of capital punishment, today's world is less optimistic about the death penalty -- and with good reason. The death penalty affects more than just the convicted, it affects all of society. In order to show
Origins, History of the IMF The International Monetary Fund was first conceived between July 1-22, 1944, at the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. The conference was attended by representatives of 45 nations, which were called together in order to plan and lay the groundwork for a cooperative economic framework to solve global financial crises before they occur. One key reason for the conference was to
Nursing & Women's Roles Pre-and-Post Civil War The student focusing on 19th century history in the United States in most cases studies the Civil War and the causes that led to the war. But there are a number of very important aspects to 19th century American history that relate to women's roles, including nursing and volunteering to help the war wounded and others in need of care. This paper delves into
murderers receive death penalties? Should the Death Penalty Be Mandatory for People Who Kill Other People? Introduction Paragraph "Let the punishment fit the crime" states McCarthy who, like many other American citizens feel, that supports the death penalty. Gallup's annual October Gallup Poll in Princeton, NJ's Social Series indicated that in October 2007, approximately 69% of Americans support the death penalty While many Americans feel that offenders who are convicted and are awaiting sentencing
21st Century, What is Diplomacy? Gone are the days when the only means of resolving conflicts between countries were long blood smeared wars with no talks about finding a peaceful way out. As the world grows into a compact village where every country is dependent on the other for its sustenance, resolving conflicting interests, reconciling ructions and pursuing peaceful relations, knowing Diplomacy at its best is of sheer importance and irrevocable:
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now