Via Kylie at Token Skeptic, news from the Montreal Gazette.
A St-Laurent man with mental health problems who admitted he has threatened several people over the Internet because he disagreed with their atheistic opinions has received a sentence that requires him to follow psychiatric treatment for three years.
Dennis Markuze’s inability to control his impulses was evident during a sentence hearing at the Montreal courthouse on Wednesday. While the psychiatrist was testifying for the defence, Markuze could be heard laughing at what his doctor said and uttered the word “bulls–t” at least once.
There’s quite a bit more at the link, but for me, the most hopeful thing is that the system seems to actually be caring about people, both Markuze and his victims.
As the sentence hearing neared its end, Markuze admitted: “I’ve said some things I shouldn’t have said.” This prompted Dulude to let out a very sarcastic “Really?!” while holding the emails Markuze sent her for emphasis.
“I’ve never heard you say that before,” she said.
Boyer said he was impressed by Semeniuk’s testimony and agreed with almost all of the conditions the prosecutor asked for.
“He’s a good doctor. You should stick with him,” the judge said at one point.
Here’s hoping it’s all over.
Good.
I hope it actually works this time.
From the link:
Unless FtB signs up this Farley person right quick, then all of y’all remain fair game for DM?
The only victim the system seems to be caring about is Farley.
A) Farley and anyone on his particular network (or forum or whatever, I can’t be arsed to look at the particular language), and B) At least some of that may be legalese–it was very difficult to pin anything on DM at all, so having Farley be a specific victim was huge. I am not a lawyer, but my reading of this is much broader than just Farley.
I can’t say I’m sanguine about rehabilitation… OCD is hard to manage.
I started reading (and posting to) atheist BBs and blogs around the 2000 – 2001 timeframe so I have been aware of DM for about 14 years now. PZ says he’s been receiving messages from DM since 1993… or 22 years. If David/Dennis wasn’t such a bother (ie. hundreds of vile, vulgar posts per day), with the added complication that he might actually be dangerous, I’d *almost* say that I’m sorry to see him go. He’s like one of the family… the black-sheep of the family to be sure… but someone you grew up with. A tradition. Not a very nice one but, despite that, one you’ve grown accustomed to.
Of course he may not actually be gone. With the light sentences he keeps getting, he may be encouraged to keep trying.
P.S. *almost* but not really. Especially in the sense that he needs help and monitoring.