# Definition of evil: Laney on trial for killing her sons **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 2, 2004, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847 "2004-04-02T03:50:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/101 "2004-04-08T01:25:46Z")
Just stick to the OP please **Blaster**. You’re filling up my intray otherwise with your teenage angst. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/102 "2004-04-08T01:30:13Z")
> [@Boo Boo Foo](#): > > Just stick to the OP please **Blaster**. You’re filling up my intray otherwise with your teenage angst. Is anyone sticking to the original post? ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/103 "2004-04-08T01:30:47Z")
> [@Boo Boo Foo](#): > > Just stick to the OP please **Blaster**. You’re filling up my intray otherwise with your teenage angst. Teenage angst?? He’s 46 and my husband of 11 years, you idiot! My reading comprehension problems are becoming quite acute as I read you guys posts. ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/104 "2004-04-08T01:31:09Z")
We were until you came along, oh, knight in shining armor. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/105 "2004-04-08T01:33:11Z")
> [@Blonde](#): > > Teenage angst?? He’s 46 and my husband of 11 years, you idiot! And we’re supposed to know that… how, exactly? Was there a memo or something? ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/106 "2004-04-08T01:34:49Z")
> [@Blonde](#): > > Teenage angst?? He’s 46 and my husband of 11 years, you idiot! > > My reading comprehension problems are becoming quite acute as I read you guys posts. I guess being married to you, he has to agree with you or he’s in the doghouse. I hereby excuse **Blaster**. 😃 **Blonde** , your reading comprehension was whacked from the beginning. 1. Yes, we pity the mom. 2. Yes, we ALSO pity the dead kids and the brain-damaged one. 3. How much depends on each individual. 4. IMHO everyone deserves equal sympathy, **YMMV.** ---
**Author:** ![Blaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/107 "2004-04-08T01:50:52Z")
> [@LolaBaby](#): > > As opposed to you and **Blonde** , who seem to have a reading comprehension problem ALL the time? Uh…ok. > > BTW, nice try to deflect attention away from you and your girlfriend’s reading comprehension problems by pointing out minor spelling and grammar errors. > > Here’s another straw for you to grasp at. And one for you–It has to be written before it can be comprehended. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/108 "2004-04-08T01:51:19Z")
I agree with all but your fourth point, **LolaBaby**. There’s no way, no how I she will ever give someone like that my sympathy, mental illness or not. Call it a character flaw, but this is a subject I feel very passionate about. I cannot feel sorry for someone who tortures, kills, or maims humans or animals. I can only feel sorrow for their victims. I gather that since no-one in my immediate family has ever committed such a horrid crime, I can’t fully understand how one would forgive such a crime. It just rather bothers me that I have to pay for her future life with my tax money. I still would like someone to post an example a mother who killed their children, and went on to become a productive member of society. ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/109 "2004-04-08T02:00:52Z")
> [@Blonde](#): > > I agree with all but your fourth point, **LolaBaby**. There’s no way, no how I she will ever give someone like that my sympathy, mental illness or not. Call it a character flaw, but this is a subject I feel very passionate about. I cannot feel sorry for someone who tortures, kills, or maims humans or animals. I can only feel sorrow for their victims. …and I do not call your opinion a character flaw, it’s your opinion…but don’t think that because the rest of us have sympathy for the sick mother, that it is a flaw in ours. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/110 "2004-04-08T02:08:03Z")
> [@LolaBaby](#): > > …and I do not call your opinion a character flaw… I do. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/111 "2004-04-08T02:20:17Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I do. I wouldn’t expect anything but that from you, cowboy. If I said the sky was blue in Dallas today, I’m sure you’d find a way to say it wasn’t, and call me an idiot for saying it in the first place. Get a girlfriend or something! ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/112 "2004-04-08T02:29:05Z")
> [@Blonde](#): > > I wouldn’t expect anything but that from you, cowboy. If I said the sky was blue in Dallas today, I’m sure you’d find a way to say it wasn’t, and call me an idiot for saying it in the first place. Considering my very real doubts about your competency to locate the sky in the first place, let alone accurately report its coloration, this would very likely be true. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/113 "2004-04-08T02:31:28Z")
We sit back in the confines of our homes, safe, and for the most part happy. We look at the Deanna Laney case and make our respective judgements. And since the SDMB is a forum for intellectuals, it stands to reason that the majority of those views will be liberal. **Blonde** is one of the most liberal persons I know. She’s a vegetarian, animal rights activist, and nature lover. However, her views on capital punishment have always been conservative. In some ways I agree. Murder is committed for many reasons, many of which can be attributed to emotions. If you look at murder in this context, many are commited during a period of temporary insanity. Anger, hatred, jeolousy, are all emotions that can lead to murder. Where do we draw the line? ---
**Author:** ![Blaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/114 "2004-04-08T02:44:37Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Considering my very real doubts about your competency to locate the sky in the first place, let alone accurately report its coloration, this would very likely be true. A little more “lengthy” education and you may have learned how to treat a beautiful, intelligent, and sexy woman. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/115 "2004-04-08T02:51:34Z")
> [@Blaster](#): > > Murder is committed for many reasons, many of which can be attributed to emotions. If you look at murder in this context, many are commited during a period of temporary insanity. Anger, hatred, jeolousy, are all emotions that can lead to murder. Where do we draw the line? Schizophrenia is not about emotions. It’s about a brain that is not functioning normally. Therefore I’d say that’s a credible place to consider drawing a line. The “temporary insanity” (not an actual medical diagnosis, mind you) of rage is very different from the mind which is actively hallucinating things which are not actually there (like the Voice of God issuing orders). ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/116 "2004-04-08T02:57:11Z")
> [@Blaster](#): > > A little more “lengthy” education and you may have learned how to treat a beautiful, intelligent, and sexy woman. Beautiful and sexy? Now that’s a rare combination. Honestly, dude, you couldn’t think of three compliments for your wife without making two of them virtually synonymous? ---
**Author:** ![Blaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/117 "2004-04-08T03:11:29Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Beautiful and sexy? Now that’s a rare combination. Honestly, dude, you couldn’t think of three compliments for your wife without making two of them virtually synonymous? I wouldn’t want you to get too excited, dude. And at least I am complimenting a wife. Even if I didn’t have one, I would probably spend less time than you behind a keyboard. But then, we all need out particular pleasures. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/118 "2004-04-08T03:13:09Z")
well some thins have been answered.- I was wonderin who the hell this person was, new poster and all on a white horse defending poor little **Blonde** from all of us meanies. Being “hubby” explains some of it. It’s always heartwarming when you can see two people so evenly and perfectly matched, kinda saves the rest of us from having to deal with them. I"m so flattered you noticed errors in spelling and all. Traditionally, when folks mention that sort of thing with me, I mention stuff like my visual acuity problems (which have become quite an issue of late), or stuff like my arthritic fingers, problems w/certain keyboards on computers I use, or, for example, how many hours I work (traditionally about 55- 60 hours a week, but for the past two weeks it was more like 78 hours per week, clocked in.) But hell, I also am known to misspell a word or two on a good day, too. And the bottom line is that after all that, all you can point at is “look, she mistyped some words.” you’re a perfect match for your wife Beavis. At the end of the day, I’m ever so glad you two found each other. PLease, never ever think of leaving one another, you are ideally suited. Best check into that whole “in sickness and in health” clause, though 'cause from the look of things, should either of you be stricken w/mental illness, there may be problems. ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/119 "2004-04-08T03:13:15Z")
> [@Blaster](#): > > Murder is committed for many reasons, many of which can be attributed to emotions. If you look at murder in this context, many are commited during a period of temporary insanity. Anger, hatred, jeolousy, are all emotions that can lead to murder. Where do we draw the line? I stated earlier in this thread that I am pro-capital punishment. Always have been, always will. However, this case is not one where it is warranted. The woman is clearly mentally ill. How long it will “last” remains to be seen, but I don’t think your wife’s fears of her getting out of the institution where she will be placed will be realized anytime soon, if at all. > [@Blaster](#): > > A little more “lengthy” education and you may have learned how to treat a beautiful, intelligent, and sexy woman. Man! You really want _some_ tonight, eh? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847/120 "2004-04-08T03:20:52Z")
> [@LolaBaby](#): > > Man! You really want _some_ tonight, eh? 😃 He doesn’t have to post to the Pit to get that!! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-evil-laney-on-trial-for-killing-her-sons/237847.md?page=7)