Charles Singleton Essay Example

sentence attracted global attention because Singleton had schizophrenia which rendered him legally insane when unmedicated but considered legally sane when on medication.

The defense attorney contended that the government's strategy to medicate Singleton's mental condition to render him sane enough for execution was inappropriate. Although the drugs might momentarily alleviate his symptoms, they don't treat his ailment. This raises a crucial question: Is he genuinely sane because of medication? Furthermore, would his symptoms reappear if he stopped taking the medicines? Some people may dispute using antipsychotic drugs solely on mentally ill inmates to prepare them for execution. However, we must also contemplate other offenses that lead to capital punishment - in both scenarios, the end result is equally harsh. Personally, I concur with Singleton's lawyer; sanity achieved through medication seems contrived and unnatural. I oppose medicating individuals merely for executing them but believe criminals should receive fitting punishments which doesn't always have to be capital punishment in this instance. Singleton was completely cognizant and conscious when he entered York grocery store and savagely murdered a woman. He swiftly ended her life yet lived another 24 years himself, visiting guests and keeping family ties intact. The evidence against him was compelling with numerous witnesses and victims who recognized him as the offender. There needs to be some kind of penalty for those who murder others.