Re: CORRECTION: Train-Stealers and Possible Traitors who may have Asperger's

[Guest guest]

> I hope AS never becomes a flimsy defense for anyone.

Me too.

I agree with you that it can certainly contribute to crime. I don't agree

with Jerry that it is never a good defense.

However...

In the case of the treason (assuming for a moment the man is guilty - it

hasn't been proven yet - and also assuming AS will be used, for his lawyer

would be a fool to not try *every single possible* way to get his client

off the hook), the soldier knew that he was not to tell others of any

classified information he had. He signed statements, had a security

clearance, etc - and plenty of time to say " uh, I don't think I could keep

quiet if someone asked me something. " He also had the chance to realize

he screwed up and go to his commanders and say, " I screwed up, I gave out

some classified information. " (in fact that is encouraged because even

worse then a release of classified information is a release no one knows

about)

He had plenty of chances to unscrew himself - but failed to avail himself

of them, even when he had time to think about his actions.

> Seems like if Darius had gotten sensible handling, he wouldn't have

> had to feel like he couldn't stop stealing trains. Others have said,

> " give him a job where he can drive trains "

>

> Or move him to where it's not so easy to " steal trains " .

Quite possibly. But he did know it was wrong, and stealing a train is

hardly something you do on impulse - it has to be planned for it to

succeed. Heck, I suspect Darius would tell us of his planning.

Fact of the matter is, too, he *did* endanger those people on that train.

Personally, I want to know my train driver went to the morning meeting

where he heard about a signal malfunction, temporary speed restriction, or

whatever else or whatever else. He did it - not the courts, not anyone

else.

The first time he was found guilty of a transit-related crime, he pretty

much ensured he'll never be employed by any transit organization ever.

You don't employ a bank robber at a bank, even though he may know what the

banks' security weaknesses are, maybe even better then anyone else.

That's something he did to himself, not something anyone did to him.

Sure, it would have been great if someone helped him get a job *before* he

did that, but no one did and he is still responsible for his actions

(although hardly a terrorist as he is being charged).

While I have some sympathy for him, I also think *he* could have moved

himself, cleaned up his act and got a job, or a bunch of other things.

Just as I don't let people get away with saying " Well, if she had

understanding from others she wouldn't have killed her kid " , I don't let

autistics get away with blaming an indirect cause.

I do agree that there are times where autism might cause someone to not

have the criminal intent necessary to find them guilty, and I know

autistics are often mistreated by the justice system. But autistic

criminals don't change that.

--

[Guest guest]

Before my now 22 yr. old son was dx'ed as high functioning autistic, I

got a call that he had a ride in a police car... Something he told me

later, and he really was kind of excitd about that part, hard to say as

his mood was a bit hard to read then, he was 12.

He'd taken supplies from a construction site. Right under their noses.

When they got back from lunch, he'd damned up the river near the site

with all sorts of concrete and various materials, and seemed oblivious to

their calls when they yelled so they were 'forced' to call police.

He told me it was hot and he made a very cool wading spot.

Of course I had to explain to police who totally believed me that he had

some challenges...I didn't yet have a dx for him...Its a small

town...They were understanding. The construction crew had to disamble the

dam. They were outraged!

I guess we played the autism card to get him out of that one. BTW I

suspect my 13 yr. old is stealing traffic cones. uh-oh

Kim

________________________________________________________________

Get your name as your email address.

Includes spam protection, 1GB storage, no ads and more

Only $1.99/ month - visit http://www.mysite.com/name today!

[Guest guest]

Kim wrote:

>I guess we played the autism card to get him out of that one. BTW I

>suspect my 13 yr. old is stealing traffic cones. uh-oh

No, I'm sure they're following him home.

;-)

Jane

[Guest guest]

> >I guess we played the autism card to get him out of that one. BTW

I

> >suspect my 13 yr. old is stealing traffic cones. uh-oh

>

> No, I'm sure they're following him home.

>

> ;-)

>

> Jane

The more I think about this, I feel a need to clarify my

feelings. I don't want AS used as a " free pass. " But AS can be a

factor in how a person winds up in trouble. I think AS is usefull

information to a court once it decides how to treat anyone who is

guilty of a crime. We have to be accountable but AS can mean

accepting a different type of accountability; prison vs. treatment

for example.

As for Darius, the train-taker; he is a repeat offender. I am

really saddened by how this case has gone on for years. He certainly

doesn't need jail time but he sure needs better help than in the

past and I know many who have tried.

Jerry Newport