Posted on 12/14/2004 4:45:48 PM PST by yonif
McKINNEY, Texas (AP) - A mother who admitted killing her baby daughter by severing the girl's arms was guided by a Bible passage in which Jesus refers to cutting off body parts to cast away sin, the woman's attorney said Tuesday.
Dena Schlosser, a 35-year-old housewife with a history of mental illness, has referred to the New Testament passage since the killing of 10-month-old Margaret, attorney David Haynes told The Associated Press.
In the Book of Matthew, Jesus says: ``If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.''
Schlosser was charged with capital murder Nov. 22, after she told a 911 operator she had cut off her baby's arms. Police found her in the living room, covered in blood, still holding a knife and listening to a hymn.
Haynes said Schlosser was mentally ill at the time.
He said Schlosser is still disoriented but is improving under medication she is receiving in jail.
``She knows the baby is dead,'' he said. ``I think she understands generally the physical facts of how that came to be, but she is now conscious that her mind has not been clear for years and she's still coming to grips with that.''
Schlosser had been hospitalized for postpartum depression in January as part of an investigation by the state's child-protection agency. Social workers said she exhibited symptoms of psychosis but improved with medication and psychiatric help, and the agency closed the investigation in August.
But, of course, the bigots have faith about one of those...*sadly shakes head*
No sir what it means simply is that you lack understanding of the nature of mental illness. And as far as condescending I only meant to point that out as you seem to lack a certain understanding of the why in this case. Evil ? Yes. But then I guess the early Christians used to kill these " Demon Possessed " people because they were " evil". Thankfully we have come to a greater understanding of the human mind. Except for Democrats of course. LOL.
The lack of compassion and understanding on the part of you so-called Christians is truly astounding.
First of all, to those of you who don't "buy" the concept of an insanity plea, I implore you to buy or borrow a psychology textbook. Then read it. If you don't think you have the time to do this, try not listening to Sean Hannity's radio show for a day or two.
Secondly, the article in no way mentioned Islam. That some of you managed to turn this thread into a bacchanal of bigotry against it so quickly says something about your thought processes (or lack thereof), IMHO.
And finally, to those of you correcting the woman's interpretation of scripture, all I can say is, no shit. The woman is, almost without a doubt, certifiably insane; you expect her biblical analysis to be logically coherent? Get over yourselves. Pick up your Bible, turn to the pages where Jesus talks about empathy and compassion (last time I checked, most of what the guy talked about fits this), and read it until it starts to make sense. Follow this up by kicking your own asses for me.
I haven't read what this woman said.I did read that her lawyer said ," where Jesus refers to cutting off body parts to cast away sins."HIS interpretation is incorrect.SHE is mentally ill.The fact that her lawyer said it like this,like it was actually what the Bible means,is why I made my post.
The lawyer is referring to the woman's train of thought. Now, does said train of thought make any sense? No. But let's not kill the messenger.
I agree. After reading all about Marie Osmond's battle with mental problems after the birth of her last child... she finally learned it's not something that can be cured with psychotic drugs. It's an endocrine/hormonal-thing. Too mad GYN/OB's don't get more education in hormonal abnormalities and deal with it during pregnancy. We'd see fewer of the these cases.
I know a number of people who have mental illness. Just about a month ago, I took my aunt down to the emergency room because she had a setback. Seeing her have her initial breakdown will always stay with me, too. It's not easy, that's for sure.
Gotta agree with you. OK, so they're insane. They murdered babies, so they should die. Not fit for life in our society. Excuses are like...well you know the rest.
Right, because severe mental illness is an "excuse." This woman should be locked up in a mental hospital for the rest of her life, sure, but what good would killing her do our society?
Ask the Reagan family about Hinckley.
I heard the tape of the call (by 911) to the mom when 911 was contacted by the father who had a feeling something was wrong..what was his responsibility for leaving his child with a woman who was mentally ill? She was heard humming as she answered the call and was questioned on the health of her child.
Ping
I think if she'd do her hair and makeup and wear a nice dress instead of that awful orange jumpsuit, she'd look much better.
[rimshot]
First, I don't "buy" the insanity plea, because no matter what psych textbook you're reading, I doubt it will mention a foolproof cure for ANY of the mental illnesses that might be used as a defense. And no matter what, this woman might get out if she's ruled "insane," to chop up some other kid. F that. It's right up there with 'life' for murderers--if she's not 100% curable, she ought to be kept out of the population because of the damage she could do. And since we don't do a heck of a good job of keeping people in for life, we ought to fry her, wack job or not. Recidivism for criminals sentenced to death whose sentences are carried out is 0%. I like that number, especially regarding babykillers. You think we should 'lock her up the rest of her life,' but I'd love to see stats on how many people like this actually end up there that long. No question there are plenty of wackjobs let out to commit crimes again after being 'cured' by your psychology-textbook writing pals.
Second, Islam is on people's minds because the MSM spin on this will be that Bibles and thus Christianity are evil, and we all know it. That you somehow miss that speaks volumes.
Third, courts ain't about empathy and compassion. They're about JUSTICE. And if you think the courts are Christian, they're supposed to turn the other cheek and all that, I got news for you, "Do unto others" doesn't equate to locking folks up five-to-seven. Christianity is a moral, not a legal, viewpoint, nor should it be the viewpoint of American justice or foreign policy, lest we be judged stupid. I can say honestly that I will pray for her soul, but still want her to get physically closer to God ASAP. I'm rendering unto Caesar, buddy, and the Bible doesn't have to tell me Caesar oughta give her the juice.
Finally, noob, I don't listen to Sean Hannity because he comes across just like you do, and I don't like listening to whiny know-it-alls. But the difference between him and you is at least he's been around the conservative ranks long enough to know the lay of the land, and he is smart enough to understand that some of these folks are genuinely horrified at the MSM scaring people away from salvation with this b.s. 'Bible' defense, which is right up there with Twinkies. You, on the other hand, hop right in swinging, and you're already too busy telling people to kick their own asses to sniff and notice your head's up your own.
What kind of question is that, anyway? Like the dad is just going to say, "Aw, hell, my wife's going to cut off Junior's arms, but oops, gotta get to work, got that big project to finish up!" She had no history of acting this way. Depressed, yes, but chopping off kids' arms? Hardly. His responsibility is and oughta be none legally. See, his wife, um, er, uh, CUT OFF THEIR CHILD'S ARMS. I'd bet no one, not even Nostradamus and Miss Cleo's love child, would have predicted THAT.
Isolated reference and the exception that proves the rule. Look at his teachings comprehensively and you can get your answer.
Everything is twisted to further agendas, that is humanity for you.
It would absolutely guarantee she would never kill again.
And get her nails done . . . that's what my mother always tells me to do. ;)
BTW, I have been around the mentally ill in my lifetime, enough to know of what you speak. Granted, it was not my mother, but an uncle. I still experienced it.
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