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TimberValley

(318 posts) Fri Apr 12, 2013, 10:50 AM Apr 2013

Should bullying someone to suicide be classified as a form of manslaughter? [View all]

The idealist in me says yes, but the practical side of me says that this might be very problematic in a court of law, or could actually encourage people who are already suicidal to do so in such a way that someone would be blamed and prosecuted for it.

36 replies

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Should bullying someone to suicide be classified as a form of manslaughter? [View all] TimberValley Apr 2013 OP

No, but it should be a definitive defense for someone who kicks a bully's ass and is charged... slackmaster Apr 2013 #1

No, it's homicide. The incidents so far that come to mind show a clear trail of harrassment Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #2

Things have a way of happening in a roundabout way. Baitball Blogger Apr 2013 #3

Failure to report criminal behavior while propagating evidence of it in the media should be HereSince1628 Apr 2013 #4

Actually it should be murder, not manslaughter as it is long term planned. graham4anything Apr 2013 #5

Wouldn't 'voluntary manslaughter' cover this? randome Apr 2013 #6

Proving causality beyond a reasonable doubt would be a challenge onenote Apr 2013 #7

Yes, that is exactly what I was thinking. TimberValley Apr 2013 #8

There is a doctrine in the law that you take people as you find them dsc Apr 2013 #17

Is that the Egg Shell Doctrine? blueamy66 Apr 2013 #19

yep dsc Apr 2013 #20

thank you blueamy66 Apr 2013 #21

No, suicide is suicide. bluedigger Apr 2013 #9

Unfortunately, wilfullness is also subject to pathological impulsiveness HereSince1628 Apr 2013 #12

No more and no less than is living another day. LanternWaste Apr 2013 #22

I'm not sure if that free will is still the same. TimberValley Apr 2013 #34

I think it should definitely be punished in some way as a criminal offense. polly7 Apr 2013 #10

You are correct in your supposition... Whiskeytide Apr 2013 #11

maybe the charge can carry a "special circumstances" wording quinnox Apr 2013 #13

Yes get the red out Apr 2013 #14

Nearly impossible to prove. cali Apr 2013 #15

Because we have a fucked up legal system get the red out Apr 2013 #33

The parents of the dead children (current bullied kids) should bring charges against the bullies.. Sunlei Apr 2013 #16

That might be the solution: teamster633 Apr 2013 #18

My thoughts exactly. bluedigger Apr 2013 #24

lots of court cases could change things for the better. Sunlei Apr 2013 #26

Like you... pipi_k Apr 2013 #23

You raise a good point. n/t. TimberValley Apr 2013 #32

Absolutely aandegoons Apr 2013 #25

Maybe "reckless endangerment"...I definitely think it should be criminalized in some way. n/t whathehell Apr 2013 #27

No. This would actually encourage more suicides. Nye Bevan Apr 2013 #28

That's true. TimberValley Apr 2013 #35

It's very problematic kudzu22 Apr 2013 #29

No. JVS Apr 2013 #30

Incentivizes Suicide jberryhill Apr 2013 #31

bullying should be a crime - but it is not manslaughter Douglas Carpenter Apr 2013 #36