Mental illness and the role that it plays in shaping human behavior is one of the most divisive issues in the United States today. On the one hand, there are those who feel that mental illness imprisons individuals and makes it nearly impossible to make decisions soberly. Those of this opinion would find it unfair to punish a mentally unstable individual for criminal behavior. On the other hand, there are others who are persuaded that mental illness is not powerful enough to dictate human action. These individuals believe that those who commit crimes should be held accountable and that the crimes should not be blamed on mental illness. The opposing views of the two camps come into play in the second degree murder trial of Mary. After considering the evidence presented, the arguments made and the law, Mary should be found to be not guilty.
Personal Biases
Before outlining why I think that Mary should be acquitted, I feel the need to confess that there are personal biases that informed by decision. My understanding of the damage that depression and other mental illnesses can cause is one of the sources of this bias. I have suffered depression so I understand Mary’s experience. When depressed, one is simply unable to meet their obligations and function properly. I remember that there are days when I was unable to leave the house and face the world. Essentially, depression strips one of all excitement for life and reduces them to a state of constant and unending gloom and hopelessness. While I do not think that depression or any other mental illness should be used to defend such crimes as murder, I feel that society needs to look at depressives with more sympathy, love and understanding.
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Witness Testimony
The persuasiveness of the testimonies provided by the defense witnesses is one of the factors that led me to conclude that Mary is not guilty of second-degree murder. Alice Jones is among the defense witnesses. In her testimony, she shares that in the years that she has known Mary, she has found her to a loving mother who struggled with depression and isolation. Through her testimony, Alice makes it clear that Mary is simply a desperate woman who was overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood. What makes Alice’s testimony convincing lies in her close friendship with Mary. As Mary’s friend, I would expect her to know her struggles and fears. I also feel that the main weakness in her testimony lies in the fact that she has a close friendship with Mary. It can be argued that this friendship clouds her judgment and hinders objectivity. Despite this, I still find Alice’s testimony to be persuasive and moving.
Dr. Bloom and Mary herself corroborate the arguments that Alice presents. On his part, Dr. Bloom states that Mary has a long history of debilitating mental illness. Her depression coupled with her anxiety of alcohol abuse rendered her incapable of thinking clearly and offering the best care to her child. I find that Dr. Bloom’s expertise as a mental health professional imbues his testimony with authority and credibility. He is properly placed to shed light on the effects of mental illness on human behavior. It is true that Dr. Bloom’s experience with the judicial system raises questions about his competence and credibility. However, I think that instead of hurting his credibility or authority, his lack of experience allows him to present testimony without prejudices or biases that could be acquired through lengthier experience with the system. Mary’s deeply personal and moving testimony also inspired me to find in her favor. I can relate to her struggles with depression. Furthermore, I fully understand how fear and isolation can rule the life of an individual without a stable social support system. Without such a system to cling to, Mary was rendered vulnerable and frightened. Basically, Mary is a young mother who loved her daughter but was simply lacked the capacity to provide a nurturing home. Policeman A is another witness whose testimony helps Mary’s case. While testifying, he shared that the autopsy on Mary’s baby did not reveal any signs of abuse or neglect. The lack of these signs is solid evidence that Mary never abused her child.
The prosecution called witnesses whose testimonies I found to be unconvincing and driven by malice, hate and incompetence. I particularly found the testimony by Caroline Haspers to be unhelpful, mostly irrelevant and inconsistent with the testimonies of more credible witnesses like Alice. For example, Haspers claimed that Mary was a reckless alcoholic who partied too much. I find it difficult to believe that any mother would abandon her baby for an entire week as she pursues pointless and vain adventures. What hurts Hapser’s credibility further is the resentment and hate in her voice. She alleges that Mary had had “lots of wild parties in her apartment and that the baby wasn’t taken care of properly”. While I agree that Mary could have taken better care of her baby, I do not think that Haspers has enough credibility to speak about Mary’s character. She appears like a bitter neighbor with nothing more to do that concern herself with the affairs of others.
Haspers’ unconvincing testimony is not the only issue that led me to dismiss the claim that Mary deliberately left her child to die. The testimony by Dr. Parker persuaded me further that Mary is a victim of mental illness and that finding her guilty would be a gross injustice. Dr. Parker demonstrates no sympathy at all for those suffering from such mental illnesses as depression. He presents Mary as a reckless and evil mother who abandoned her daughter. He dismisses Mary’s mental illness as irrelevant. I think that Dr. Parker represents what is wrong with the US criminal justice system. Instead of sympathizing and helping sufferers of mental illness, the system is too quick to judge and punish. Dr. Parker’s coldness and harsh attitude erodes the power of his testimony. He asserts that Mary understood her actions when she left her daughter unattended. I think that any mother who leaves her child to die must either be evil or mentally unstable. The latter is what is true for Mary.
Closing Arguments
The defense closed with powerful arguments that left me convinced that Mary could not have left her child to die. It admits that it is indeed true that Mary’s child is a victim but makes it clear that Mary’s mental illness is to blame. This argument is in line with the testimony by Alice and Dr. Bloom. The consistency in the arguments raised by the defense helps to establish credibility. On the other hand, in its closing arguments, the prosecution relies on the same empty rhetoric that its witnesses employed. Instead of providing solid evidence, the prosecution simply presents Mary as evil and reckless. I agree with the defense’s call for leniency and sympathy. Mary has suffered enough. She has struggled with depression, anxiety and alcoholism. Now, she is facing accusations of murdering her child. If it convicts her, the court will be complicit in society’s harsh treatment of sufferers of mental illness.
In conclusion, Mary’s case addresses a number of important issues in the American criminal justice system. Mental health is one of these issues. Through this case, one is able to understand the interplay between mental illness and human behavior. Personally, I think that Mary’s case highlights society’s failure to recognize the influence that mental health has on criminal actions. Mary is the victim of a society which is ignorant and unfair. Instead of offering support and the resources needed for wellness, society has condemned her. It is the mandate of the criminal justice system to stand up for sufferers of mental illness.
