Nehemiah Dolman Mrs. Murray AP Lang & Comp, 1st Block March 26, 2024. Just Mercy The death penalty for people with severe mental illness, like Herbert Richardson in Bryan Stevenson’s “Just Mercy,” shows cruel and unusual punishment due to the psychological torment it inflicts when they are treated in court, serving as vengeance disguised as justice. The Herbert Richardson case is about a Black Vietnam War veteran who experienced heavy combat resulting in him developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, due to his involvement in Vietnam, Richardson suffers from recurring nightmares, constant mental breakdowns, and severe headaches from trauma which makes him shout “Incoming!” randomly highlighting his dire need for psychological …show more content…
While his actions caused an unintentional death, the bomb was used as his method to win her back, not murder. Sentencing Richardson to death disregards his mental illness being the main reason for his actions. This case exposes how the death penalty is unable to differentiate between a genuine serial killer and the tragic consequences of an intellectually disabled individual. According to behavioral scientist and clinical psychologist Stephanie Brooks Holliday, “An estimated 8 percent of the 2.2 million people incarcerated in jails and prisons in the United States are veterans, and an unknown number of veterans have had other types of contact with the criminal justice system.” (Holliday, 1). The quote from Stephanie Brooks Holliday demonstrates that the criminal justice system’s treatment of military veterans is overlooked and is a significant societal issue. In addition, the statistic not only underscores the challenges veterans deal with upon returning to civilian life, but also explains how the system fails to provide mental help for war veterans who suffer from mental issues, such as PTSD. While Herbert Richardson’s story explains the challenges faced by veterans with PTSD, the …show more content…
He’s had multiple jobs in the army ranging from cleaning out water for soldiers to supplying them for combat, after he retired he pursued his dream of being an entrepreneur and became a father with four kids. Dolman explains that the vision of the real world changes due to how life is inside the mind of the veteran and brings up the point that “You can get used to the idea you’re going to die, and it just doesn’t bother you anymore”(Dolman, 2:04). Knowing that he could die anytime he walked out to combat caused mental issues later on in life that affected his views on politics, relationships, and life. Specifically, his quote about accepting death shows the emotional detachment PTSD can cause. Similarly, Richardson’s constant fear and recurring nightmares from combat could have significantly impaired his judgment, contributing to the tragic accident. Richardson’s case underscores the urgent need for our justice system to adopt a more compassionate approach toward individuals with mental illness, emphasizing understanding, rehabilitation, and support. The justice system must prioritize mental health and provide support for veterans who struggle with trauma. Sentencing Richardson to death serves as a chilling reminder that
The heart wrenching tale of Jason Poole is an evident picture of the lost potentials of all the heavily injured veterans who came back to an entirely different “home”. Grady shows us that life as a veteran, who has put their life on the line to protect their country, after coming home is like having to start from scratch. “‘Jason was definitely a ladies’ man’, said Zillah Hodgkins, who had been a friend for nine years.” (5, Grady) Grady utilizes this quote by previously showing us the current state of
PBS’ Frontline film “The Wounded Platoon” reviews the effects the Iraq war has had on soldiers as they return home and transition back into civilian life, focusing particularly on the rise in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among American military members from Fort Carson Army base (Edge, 2010). Incidents of PTSD have risen dramatically in the military since the beginning of the Iraq war and military mental health policies and treatment procedures have adapted to manage this increase (Edge, 2010). In “The Wounded Platoon,” many military personnel discuss how PTSD, and other mental health struggles, have been inadequately treated (if at all) by military mental health services. Reasons and Perdue’s definition of a social problem allows us to see inadequate treatment of PTSD among returning United States military members as a social problem because it is a condition affecting a significant number of people in undesirable ways that can be remedied through collective action (Reasons & Perdue, 1981).
...of the struggle over how the war would be remembered. Blanketed by the discourse of disability, the struggle over the memory of veterans and the country alike would be waged with such obliquity as to surpass even the most veiled operations of Nixon’s minions. While Nixon’s plumbers were wrenching together the Gainesville case against VVAW in the spring of 1972, mental health and news-media professionals were cobbling together the figure of the mentally incapacitated Vietnam veteran. More than any other, this image is the one that would stick in the minds of the American people. The psychologically damaged veteran raised a question that demanded an answer: what happened to our boys that was so traumatic that they were never the same again? As it came to be told, the story of what happened to them had less to do with the war itself than with the war against the war.
The Frontline video titled, “A Soldier’s Heart” describes what life is like as a soldier with mental illness. In the video you take a look at multiple lives that were affected by the negative conditions that derive from being enlisted in the war. The video begins by taking a look at the life of Rob Sarra, an Iraq War veteran. He described how an event that took place during the war, affected his life dramatically. Before going into combat one day, his unit was warned that there were suicide bombers in the area, and to be on the lookout for them. So when a woman appeared, walking with a bag under her arm, his initial reaction was to either kill her or be killed. She continued to walk toward a vehicle of soldiers, after they ordered her to stop. Rob then continued to aim his gun and take the shot. After he took the shot, the Marine’s near by continued to unload their weapons on the woman also. However, when all was said and done he came to the realization that what she was holding was not a bomb, but a white flag. Instantly, he was surrounded by guilt and shame because he was the reason for the death of a civilian. Rob decided
“In September 2005”, Van Dahlen created a nonprofit organization called Give an Hour, where she and other highly skilled psychologists work together for the common goal of providing free mental health care to military personnel and their loved ones (“About Us”). Slowly but surely, Van Dahlen has created this organization that has produced “volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions” and she has had the honor and privilege to forever change the lives of our country’s protectors for the better (“Mission Statement”). Growing up, a young Barbara Van Dahlen always had an immense respect for our military, as the daughter of an injured World War II veteran. Occasionally, she would hear her father reminiscing about his days in the service and all of the battles and training that he participated in. However, she recalls that he would often excise the da...
Suicide, mental illness and worsening relationships with people around are all causes of psychological injuries sustained by soldiers in the frontlines because of war. Henry from The Red Convertble and Lt. Jimmy Cross from The Things they carried both had to deal firsthand with the Vietnam war and the mental hardships it caused them. They are firsthand examples of the deep cuts war can install on somebody’s wellbeing. Humanity and war have existed side by side from the beginning, and will continue to do so. And all throughout human history, and its future, the psychological aspects of war will never
In recent research findings, four out of five veterans struggle with PTSD twenty to twenty five years later (Price). The very ‘unpopular’ war left Vietnam veterans with major psychological problems (Mintz). The effects of such cruel attacks have made it difficult for veterans to adjust to life post-war. This illness can happen within 3 months to years after the unpleasant event. Frequently, veterans and victims of war suffer relentlessly from PTSD.
There are several transgressions done upon an innocent civilian named Kalief Browder. The justice system failed him; he faced eight different judges and yet none were able to prove his innocence, violated his Sixth Amendment, and the system robbed him of his well-being that it eventually led to severe implications such as the PTSD Browder is experiencing.
In 2007 two Washington Post reporters spent four months visiting Walter Reed hospital’s outpatient world known as building 18. The conditions were bad, floors rotted through, stained carpet, mouse droppings, cheap mattresses and the smell of cheap takeout in the air. This is how our veterans lived. They received premier medical treatment, saving their lives. So they could get lost in the paperwork. The outpatient process was lacking to say the least. These soldiers came from a war zone to a chaotic scene where soldiers with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD were supposed to be in charge of soldiers at risk of suicide. The staff was unqualified or disconnected. They had to fill out paperwork for multiple commands and keep up with appointments, while they couldn’t even remember their way around the hospital. They had pay issues and trouble feeding their families. Vera Heron spent 15 frustrating months living on post to help care for her son. "It just absolutely took forever to get anything done," Heron said. "They do the paperwork, they lose the paperwork. Then they have to redo the paperwork. You are talking about guys and girls whose lives are disrupted for the rest of their lives, and they don't put any priority on it (Priest & Hull, 2007)."
Vaknin, Sam. "Many People with Mental Illness Should Not Be Exempt from the Death Penalty." The Death Penalty. Ed. Jenny Cromie and Lynn M. Zott. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
“Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption” is a novel written by an American lawyer and social justice activist named Bryan Stevenson. The novel was originally published in late 2014 with the purpose of revealing factual information based on true stories about the American system of justice. Bryan Stevenson is the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama. While a student in 1983 at Harvard Law, Stevenson was first exposed to death row victims during an internship. After this particular internship Bryan knew exactly what he wanted to do after law school, and that was
Over the past fifteen years Americas finest warriors have been sent all over the world battling the war on terror. According to the President, the wars and battles are now over. Due to the Presidents lack of combat experience, he fails to realise that the battles still continue. These battles are not in Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other country, the battles are in the minds of those combat Veterans. These Veterans are and will continue to relive those battles in their minds for the rest of their lives. This battle is the battle for inner peace, sanity, and a good night’s sleep. Doctors have related this disorder to a release of a chemical cocktail in the brain and have coined this battle PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). If PTSD is related to a release of chemical cocktail in the brain, then pre-war vulnerabilities, combat, , and post-war re-experiences are triggers that release that cocktail and cause Veterans to get PTSD.
In the novels Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut and Wounded by Eric Walters, it is demonstrated that PTSD (Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder) can have detrimental effects towards a person and their loved ones. These effects and struggles are not directly visible. Although many soldiers go home from the war without any physical harm, it does not mean they are not wounded. In some scenarios, people believe that surviving the war is worse than dying in combat and this is because of the prolonged suffering of emotions, guilt and memories. This is shown in both novels through the effects war has on a soldier’s behavior, their mental state, and the struggles that are bestowed upon their families.
A theme present throughout the novel was the ripple effect of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD - on the lives of those suffering and those who surround them. I thought this less talked about topic was brought to light in an effectively confronting way. A handful of chapters reflecting on Andy’s memories fighting in Afghanistan/Iraq showed what may be going on in someone’s mind that has fought in a war. “Shock waves ripple through metal, glass, and flesh. Bones crumble. Skin explodes. Nerves snap. Brains slosh and spill in dented tin skulls. Arteries spray like high pressure hoses, painting the world a bright, sad red.” Later, when talking to a young man, he tells him, “Killing people is easier than it should be.” “Staying alive is the hard part.” These lines show a deeper reality of war and what it’s like after returning, still haunted by the memories.
More attention in the Therapeutic Field needs to be devoted to Veterans with PTSD who are perpetrators of abuse. As suggested by Sherman, Sautter, Jackson, Lyons, and Han (2007), depressed veterans mirrored the acts of veterans with PTSD, suggesting that the tren...