The Chinese man who repeatedly stabbed, mutilated and beheaded a fellow bus passenger has been found not criminally responsible.
The horrific murder, which took place on July 30, 2008 in Manitoba, Canada, sent shock waves around the world. At his recent trial, defense psychiatrists testified that Vince Li was a paranoid schizophrenic who believed he was killing because the voice of God commanded him.
The presiding judge said, “These grotesque acts are appalling. However, the acts themselves and the context in which they were
committed are strongly suggestive of a mental disorder."
The family of the victim is heartbroken over the decision, which will send Mr. Li to a mental hospital for an undetermined amount of time.
A lot of people have ridiculed the verdict for being too soft, especially considering he'll be eligible to reenter the community in just a handful of years.
Do you think someone like this can be fully rehabilitated? What do you make of the ruling?
– Wilbur
Photo Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
he should be hanged
I don’t think he will ever be rehabilitated- even if they manage to break him from his psychosis, he will still have to face the reality of his actions, and the reactions of those towards him.
As for being too soft, we must look at the American model of justice (tough on crime, lengthy jail times) and understand that it is among the most ineffective in the word. As much as our natural instincts urge us to demand for the guilty to be indefinitely locked away, it doesn’t detour crime or help the offenders.
Assigning a lengthy jail sentence in this case would also be ineffective in terms of preventing similar crimes in the future- it is entirely impossible for a person to consciously take on a mental illness and kill a person on a bus…
This is a disgrace to the Canadian justice system. Justice was definitely NOT served in this case. In a few short years this creep will be out on the streets enjoying his life, yet the 22 year old victim who’s life he took will not have that luxury.
there were details about this crime that emerged during the trial – not previously released….
Mr. Li – ate the victims eyes and a portion of his heart…
there is no way Li should be released under any circumstance – whether in an institution or jail – it should be forever….
I say throw him from a moving bus and let the rest of traffic run over the fucker.