So with the minimal information we now have about the Murrysville Slasher (one Alex Hribal), let's decide what to do with him.
The perpetrator is a 16-year-old white kid with no prior interactions with law enforcement - or even the disciplinary system of his schools. He is being charged as an adult and there is no indication that he is psychotic. Pennsylvania uses the "M'Naughton Rule" to determine competence and it is a very low standard. Does the perp understand the difference between right and wrong, and can he understand the logical consquences of his actions? That's it. So forget any "insanity defense," in this case.
Bringing the knives(!) to school shows premeditation and planning. Although most of the wounds were of the slashing type, there were five or six that he literally plunged the knives into kids' abdomens, thus indicating an intent to kill.
I think we're looking at an inevitable conviction on multiple counts of Ag Assault and attempted homicide. Ironically, he will avoid the 5-year bumper that goes with committing a crime with a firearm. Good choice on his part.
I predict many, many years in the slammer for him.
The perpetrator is a 16-year-old white kid with no prior interactions with law enforcement - or even the disciplinary system of his schools. He is being charged as an adult and there is no indication that he is psychotic. Pennsylvania uses the "M'Naughton Rule" to determine competence and it is a very low standard. Does the perp understand the difference between right and wrong, and can he understand the logical consquences of his actions? That's it. So forget any "insanity defense," in this case.
Bringing the knives(!) to school shows premeditation and planning. Although most of the wounds were of the slashing type, there were five or six that he literally plunged the knives into kids' abdomens, thus indicating an intent to kill.
I think we're looking at an inevitable conviction on multiple counts of Ag Assault and attempted homicide. Ironically, he will avoid the 5-year bumper that goes with committing a crime with a firearm. Good choice on his part.
I predict many, many years in the slammer for him.