Elliott de Bruin
Block 7 10/12/15
Dear Judge Smith,
Dick Hickock does not deserve to die. The death penalty is not a justifiable or moral punishment for Dick Hickock’s actions on the night of November 15, 1959, because he is mentally impaired, which causes him to act antisocially and impulsively without thought of future consequence. Additionally, the only crimes he committed that night were breaking and entering and robbery.
Dick Hickock’s actions are a result of a mental condition he suffers from called acquired sociopathy. Years prior to the crime under question, Dick was involved in a horrible car accident that damaged his frontal cortex, causing a drastic change to his psychological well-being. In a psychological evaluation of Dick …show more content…
He believes his actions are a result of him not loving his wife. The impulse control issues explain why Dick cheats on his wife and continually commits crimes without thought of consequence, and cannot maintain healthy relationships. While Dick believes he does these things because he does not love his wife, the real reason is that he cannot control his actions due to his damaged mind. Dick’s bad ways sprout from his altered mental state, which can be treated with rehabilitation. The death penalty is a final solution for a problem that cannot be fixed. In Dick’s case his condition can be treated, so it would be morally wrong to sentence him to …show more content…
The punishment, however, must fit the crime. Taking Dicks life does not equal his acts of trespassing and robbery. By providing Dick with rehabilitation and a proper support system, it would prevent the repetition of such crimes, while saving a human life that can contribute to our society. Giving Dick the help he needs to get his life back together would actually be a better deterrent, than the death penalty, of future crimes. People who commit robbery or murder feel as if their life cannot get better, so they want to take that away from others. By using Dick as an example to show others that they can get help and improve their lives in a healthy manner, others will be more inclined to seek help rather than committing
Block 7 10/12/15
Dear Judge Smith,
Dick Hickock does not deserve to die. The death penalty is not a justifiable or moral punishment for Dick Hickock’s actions on the night of November 15, 1959, because he is mentally impaired, which causes him to act antisocially and impulsively without thought of future consequence. Additionally, the only crimes he committed that night were breaking and entering and robbery.
Dick Hickock’s actions are a result of a mental condition he suffers from called acquired sociopathy. Years prior to the crime under question, Dick was involved in a horrible car accident that damaged his frontal cortex, causing a drastic change to his psychological well-being. In a psychological evaluation of Dick …show more content…
He believes his actions are a result of him not loving his wife. The impulse control issues explain why Dick cheats on his wife and continually commits crimes without thought of consequence, and cannot maintain healthy relationships. While Dick believes he does these things because he does not love his wife, the real reason is that he cannot control his actions due to his damaged mind. Dick’s bad ways sprout from his altered mental state, which can be treated with rehabilitation. The death penalty is a final solution for a problem that cannot be fixed. In Dick’s case his condition can be treated, so it would be morally wrong to sentence him to …show more content…
The punishment, however, must fit the crime. Taking Dicks life does not equal his acts of trespassing and robbery. By providing Dick with rehabilitation and a proper support system, it would prevent the repetition of such crimes, while saving a human life that can contribute to our society. Giving Dick the help he needs to get his life back together would actually be a better deterrent, than the death penalty, of future crimes. People who commit robbery or murder feel as if their life cannot get better, so they want to take that away from others. By using Dick as an example to show others that they can get help and improve their lives in a healthy manner, others will be more inclined to seek help rather than committing