[Drammach]

I do truly understand why we don't try people who are mentally incompetent, because they can't defend themselves. I understand why we don't convict people who were mentally incompetent when they committed a crime, because they didn't understand that their actions were wrong.

While I respect your compassion, I disagree..

The test has to be "Danger to Others"..
Frankly, I could care less about "Danger to Self"..

I don't care what the mental competence of a murderer or any other violent criminal is..
Their Actions are what is relevent..
If they cause the deaths of innocents, then they should be dealt with accordingly..
A dead criminal will never kill again..

[Chinito]

"...I don't care what the mental competence of a murderer or any other violent criminal is..
Their Actions are what is relevent..
If they cause the deaths of innocents, then they should be dealt with accordingly..
A dead criminal will never kill again..

Amen, brother...and none of this life without parole stuff. Look at our (I'm in Kalifornia) world famous Chilren's Story writer "Tookie" Williams; in prison for murder and causes the murder of 3 other persons.