suspected rapist murderer autistic *trigger warning*

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(Please don't read if this sort of news upsets you)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-14/m ... th/9868130

The conditions of "youth and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder" do not constitute a "Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free" card, especially for the crimes of rape and murder.

In Australia, the law of "Mental Impairment" broadly states that to establish a defense on the grounds of insanity, it must be clearly proven that at the time of committing the act, the accused’s state of mind was such that they did not know what they were doing, or if they did, that it was wrong.

[opinion=mine]

The fact that he did not petition for bail is significant. It shows that either (a) he feels more fear regarding being outside of jail than in, or (b) he knows what he had done and knows that it was wrong to do it.

In any case, I expect a plea of "Guilty" (or the Aussie equivalent) in very short order.

[/opinion]

I can not judge this case based on the very preliminary information from this short article. I can say I believe the increasing use of the "Autism defense" by lawyers is going to be harmful to autistic people overall by adding more stigmas and offering "proof" of existing stigmas.

It should be noted that the comedian made mention she was a feminist during her act. Her murder was likely a gender hate crime, perpetuated by the same frustrated, entitled type of young men who are encouraged to stew in their own toxic juices on WP.

We don’t have these sorts of people on WP.

Lonely, yes....but not of the Incel/Elliot Rodger variety.

Frustrated, yes....but with decent morals.

Why do they mention "diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder", but say nothing about whether he was left or right-handed, his favorite color or what he had for breakfast that day? As long as they're listing irrelevant details, why not?

P.S.- Also it should have been, "diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder".

I've found a good deal of stigma directed at Autistic people is our faliure to hold our own accountable. Constantly using Autism to tell people you can't say anything negative about me because I have Autism. So much it even drives Autistic people away from the community as any complaints they have will be met with, "They can't help it! They're Autistic!"

A good start to counter this would to stop insisting the media or even the world must ignore anything bad an Autistic person does. Pushing the idea all Autistic people are pure innocent angels, which is infantilizing Autistic people.

"Victoria Legal Aid lawyer John Riordan said it was Mr Todd's first time in custody and stressed his vulnerability in that environment due to his youth and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder."

hmm...well maybe don't rape and kill people.

He knew that what he did was wrong, so he should go to jail.

We on the autistic spectrum know the difference between right and wrong, and so should this guy. If he's guilty, then he should face punishment, same as anyone else.