Abdullah Al-Harithy Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The theory, according to jurisprudence, that an insane person does not have the intent to commit a criminal act because they either don't know the act is wrong or cannot control their actions even when they understand the action is immoral, is just a cloak that some people use to hide their crimes. Some really do not have any knowledge of their commission or omission because of their mental capabilities, or lack of it. But some use the excuse of the mental disorder to escape punishment for their depraved acts. In such a situation, it is arguable when the insanity plea should be used. A recent example being the horrific crime that took place in Makkah when a person suffering from mental issues broke into a mosque and killed two people while they were praying. In this case there is clear evidence of the person being of unstable mind. And as in the past when many mentally sick people committed serious violent crimes but escaped punishment, this case will likely go the same way. The excuse provided by the defense in these cases is that the defendant is not responsible for his action as he is of unsound mind. Probably the most controversial of all defense strategies, the insanity defense are also ironically, one of the least used. Citing examples O. F. said one of his relatives who scored 99% in the General Certificate of Education saw a traffic accident changing the course of his life when the impact of the death of family members in the accident threw him into the pits of depression. Following the accident, he quit on life totally. He first abandoned his studies and failed to pursue his university education. He also turned his back on his friends and the entire society, and just dreamed his way through life. Despite the serious mental complications, he was peaceful. O.M. was a victim of family violence. Though 40 years of age, O.M. endured merciless beatings from his parents. The abuse had its impact on his psyche and with passage of time he turned into a monster and became very aggressive. Yusuf Al-Balawi said there are several mentally disturbed patients wandering aimlessly around the streets acting improperly. Some of them beg for food and cigarettes, and become aggressive when refused. He said the majority is homeless and their families never care for them. They are left to their fate. This raises a crucial question about the role of the social institutions toward this group. Fahaid Al-Raslani said people suffering from mental disorders pose a great danger to the society. They are time bombs that could explode anytime. He said these people who wonder aimlessly in the streets are unpredictable and are capable of committing heinous crime such as murder and rape. The danger from these people lie in the fact that they are not being treated for their conditions, which worsens. He said in most cases courts release these people and acquit them of their crimes on the grounds of the legal principle that mentally-ill people are not guilty by the reason of insanity. Mohsen Muhammad said there were many cases of mentally sick people holding their parents or other family members captive, using any type of weapons — guns, knives or any sharp metallic objects. Dr. Humaid Al-Quraishi, Director of the Chest Diseases Hospital in Taif, said every person in the society suffers from psychological disorders, but at varying degrees. The normal range is between 30-70 . Those who exceed this range, on either side, are diagnosed with depression. He said mental diseases could be broadly classified as either psychoses or neuroses. Psychoses (e.g. schizophrenia and bipolar disorders) are major mental illnesses characterized by severe symptoms such as delusions. Al Quraishi said schizophrenia is one the most dangerous mental disease indicating that it is a disorder characterized by severe disorganized thoughts, emotion, and behavior. Most people suffering from schizophrenia experience some kind of hallucination. He said this hallucination makes the schizophrenic commit murder as he sometimes looks at a person in front of him as an enemy. He said all sections of the society and its institutions are directly responsible for these people especially those who roam the streets aimlessly. He said there is a National Commission for Caring of Psychiatric Patients and their Families. He said commission members must take to the streets of various regions to identify and help mentally ill people.
