The Non-partisan Politics, Amy Bishop Anderson Thread...

[jthomas666]

Is the legal definition of insanity in Alabama similar to Texas'?

In Texas, you're insane if you support A&M, in Alabama, if you support Auburn.

so close enough.

 

[Jack Bourbon]

Her hairdo says a lot.

 

[rizolltizide]

Any word on if she was a Ron Paul supporter? This seems like a very libertarian thing to do.

Ok seriously, do you guys think we will ever see the husband do a interview? I think that's the most intriguing angle on all of this. I'd like to see what he said about his life with her and her private discussions about her brothers death.

So far, what I've seen from him is steadfast support for her. If I'm not mistaken he was questioned along with her about the pipe bombs.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Well, to respond to several posts, it's correct that the insanity defense is close to non-existent in AL, particularly in Madison County. Try to convince a jury made up of engineers that you're insane. They specialize in seeing the world in black and white. By chance, I happen to know who the husband contacted first for representation (it was declined because of conflict of interest). The insanity defense was mentioned - no surprise. I think this all was planned with an insanity defense in mind - down to her utterances as she was forced into the squad car about it's not happening and "they're still alive..."

 

[happytidefan]

Well, to respond to several posts, it's correct that the insanity defense is close to non-existent in AL, particularly in Madison County. Try to convince a jury made up of engineers that you're insane. They specialize in seeing the world in black and white. By chance, I happen to know who the husband contacted first for representation (it was declined because of conflict of interest). The insanity defense was mentioned - no surprise. I think this all was planned with an insanity defense in mind - down to her utterances as she was forced into the squad car about it's not happening and "they're still alive..."

I think you are right on the money here....but that being said....surely there is no such thing as premeditated insanity! OR, what do I know....is there? Kinda blows that defense out of the water if an insanity defense was the plan all along...I think the State can prove premeditation from just a few things we've already learned...she went to target practice the day before the shooting!

 

[cbi1972]

I think you are right on the money here....but that being said....surely there is no such thing as premeditated insanity! OR, what do I know....is there? Kinda blows that defense out of the water if an insanity defense was the plan all along...I think the State can prove premeditation from just a few things we've already learned...she went to target practice the day before the shooting!

Target practice is not premeditation.

 

[coUrAgeWins]

The insanity defense is the only card she has to play. There are witnesses still alive that saw her in the room shooting the victims. No defense for that other than the insanity defense.

She is either going to have to play that card, or agree to a plea bargain, if the DA will even bargain. There will be a LOT of people that will want to see her get the death penalty and not life in prison.

She is either a ruthless, cold-blooded, killer. Or a raving lunatic. My vote right now is for the later. But the fact that she functioned in society at such a high level (Phd, wife, mother of 4) will not make it easy for a jury to believe the insanity bit. And you don't take an unregisterd gun to a meeting and then just happen to 'snap'.

Edit:
And let me just add, I don't mean this post to sound like I'm making excuses for this chick, I hope she fries.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Target practice is not premeditation.

No, it's not. However, when you combine it with all of the other factors - purchased a gun although she had been publicly in favor of gun control. Her husband's story has changed from saying he didn't know she had a gun to saying that he knew but didn't know where she got it. It'll all be admitted into evidence as tending to show premeditation. But I agree that, if she'd been a life-long range-rabbit, it would mean nothing in isolation...

 

[TexasBama]

In Texas, you're insane if you support A&M, in Alabama, if you support Auburn.

so close enough.

Well, that too

Andrea Yates was orginally found sane (although overturned). Legal insanity is pretty thin here.

 

[DiamondDust]

And more evidence to show how she was a ticking time bomb comes out:

Amy Bishop charged with 2002 assault at IHOP | Breaking News from The Huntsville Times - al.com

Copy of the police report from her brother's death:
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsme...rt_found_and_released_in_86_bisho.php?ref=fpb

 

[TIDE-HSV]

And more evidence to show how she was a ticking time bomb comes out:

Amy Bishop charged with 2002 assault at IHOP | Breaking News from The Huntsville Times - al.com

Copy of the police report from her brother's death:
Read the Report: Missing Police Records In '86 Bishop Case Found | TPMMuckraker

Talking about bizarro! The report addresses the minor included offenses but not the murder, on which there is no statute of limitations...

 

[CrimsonPride]

Re: The New, Non-partisan political Amy Bishop Anderson Thread...

The insanity defense is the only card she has to play. There are witnesses still alive that saw her in the room shooting the victims. No defense for that other than the insanity defense.

She is either going to have to play that card, or agree to a plea bargain, if the DA will even bargain. There will be a LOT of people that will want to see her get the death penalty and not life in prison.

She is either a ruthless, cold-blooded, killer. Or a raving lunatic. My vote right now is for the later. But the fact that she functioned in society at such a high level (Phd, wife, mother of 4) will not make it easy for a jury to believe the insanity bit. And you don't take an unregisterd gun to a meeting and then just happen to 'snap'.

Edit:
And let me just add, I don't mean this post to sound like I'm making excuses for this chick, I hope she fries.

My vote is on ruthless, cold-blooded, killer.

She is obviously very intelligent but has serious issues when she doesn't get her way. All of the instances with violence have come after things did not go here way: an argument (shooting death of brother), not getting a booster seat (punched a woman in the face), negative evaluation (pipe bombs) and not getting tenure (murderous shooting spree).

The fact that she has gotten away with these other incidents is amazing but to do so with police involvement each time is UNBELIEVABLE.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Re: The New, Non-partisan political Amy Bishop Anderson Thread...

Boy, the story just keeps changing on the MA killing. This AM, there's a report that, after the attempted carjacking, she entered a Ford dealership and demanded a car at gunpoint, and that is where the police found and arrested her. And I was wrong about the gun being an over-under. I was led astray by a story out of a MA newspaper which had that type of gun displayed by the story. The fact is that it was a pump-action. How do you fire a pump accidentally three times? LINK

 

[Bodhisattva]

And more evidence to show how she was a ticking time bomb comes out:

Amy Bishop charged with 2002 assault at IHOP | Breaking News from The Huntsville Times - al.com

Wow! I bet that victim of Bishop's wrath is now thinking, "I'm lucky I only got punched in the head."

 

[Clubfitter]

Re: The New, Non-partisan political Amy Bishop Anderson Thread...

Boy, the story just keeps changing on the MA killing. This AM, there's a report that, after the attempted carjacking, she entered a Ford dealership and demanded a car at gunpoint, and that is where the police found and arrested her. And I was wrong about the gun being an over-under. I was led astray by a story out of a MA newspaper which had that type of gun displayed by the story. The fact is that it was a pump-action. How do you fire a pump accidentally three times? LINK

I usually try to keep an open mind about situations like this until all the facts are in. But daily more reports are coming out about this woman that makes me wonder how she slipped through the cracks. The more I hear about her the more an insanity defense sounds winnable (maybe save her from execution). This woman is a real live nut case.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Re: The New, Non-partisan political Amy Bishop Anderson Thread...

I know it may look like that on the surface, but, in reality, insanity pleas just almost never fly in Alabama, and particularly in Madison County. At present, the defendant, because of mental disease or defect, must have been unable to understand the nature and quality of her act or the wrongfulness of it. AL used to recognize what was called the irresistible impulse" test in addition, but I believe we adopted the more restricted Uniform rule. You can see that it's a hard sell for a college professor. Also, juries simply don't seem to buy it, if a person is otherwise functioning in society. Let me disclaim that this is not my area of practice, but other lawyers who do practice in this area have told me that her chances of success are just about zero...

 

[NYBamaFan]

Is the death penalty still an option in Alabama?

 

[Clubfitter]

Is the death penalty still an option in Alabama?

Yes, still an option. Not sure if we have changed to lethal injection yet or if electrocution is still being used. TIDE-HSV can clear that up.

 

[DiamondDust]

Yes, still an option. Not sure if we have changed to lethal injection yet or if electrocution is still being used. TIDE-HSV can clear that up.

Lethal injection is the primary form of execution. I don't even think electrocution is considered as a secondary choice anymore.

 

[TexasBama]

I've always found it interesting these high profile murderers are reported with first and middle names - Lee Harvey Oswald, etc
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