My friend was senselessly murdered

[Pohemi]

The victim was a close friend of mine whom I had lived with for over 3 years until last November. He was one of the nicest people and the gentlest soul out of all my friends. He was a pacifist, and even in debate would never yell or insult people.

The ironic thing is, I was at his apartment three days before he was slain. He commented to me, "I love my new place. I finally have everything set up like I wanted, it's perfect. And I never see or even hear my neighbors."

He was fairly solitary in his apartment building and neighborhood. Actually, most residents in the neighborhood could be described the same way. He had never met any of his neighbors.

News Story

This has got to be one of the most senseless killings I've ever seen in my life. The suspect is obviously disturbed, possibly enough to not have to stand trial. But I can't help but hope he'll spend the rest of his life in prison and not as a "ward of the state" in some hospital. Wisconsin does not do capital punishment.

Read the story and post your thoughts. I can't, and will never, be able to wrap my head around this.

 

[Brainonska511]

Sucks dude. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Bitek]

wtf.. sorry for your friend. What happened is beyond consolation.
the guy was clearly insane, but I wish there was a hell for him to go to, at least for him to understand one day the full consequences of what he has done and feel the meaning and guilt of it. the misery someone like this inflicts on others all around is incalculable. So many tragic things happen so often for little reason or purpose its sad.

 

[fskimospy]

I'm terribly sorry for your friend. I lost a friend recently myself, and it's an awful thing for anyone to go through.

I'm not sure if this is any consolation, but first from the story it seems extremely unlikely that the guy will be able to use the insanity defense, as that is based around you not knowing what you did was wrong. If you're running around trying to cover up the evidence, it's pretty clear that you know what you did was wrong. Even if he were to get that though, criminal mental institutions are not very nice places... at all. I think you can rest assured that wherever this scumbag goes, he'll be very unhappy.

 

[Away]

 

[Vic]

 

[Moonbeam]

.

 

[bamacre]

Sounds like he was a good guy, I'm happy you got to know him so well, and sad that you had see him leave so soon.

 

[cristi777]

Sorry for your friend...

 

[poohbear]

my condolences regarding your friend. it was clearly something he had no control over & the murderer was insane. while we might try to look for some rational explanation there sometimes is no semblance of such thing.

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Way out of line, over the top offensive post by Moonbeam deleted.
Moderator allisolm

wow this guy has 36000 posts on anandtech and he's posting drivel like this? disgusting.

 

[Wheezer]

Originally posted by: poohbear
my condolences regarding your friend. it was clearly something he had no control over & the murderer was insane. while we might try to look for some rational explanation there sometimes is no semblance of such thing.

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

Way out of line, over the top offensive post by Moonbeam deleted.

Moderator allisolm

wow this guy has 36000 posts on anandtech and he's posting drivel like this? disgusting.

Pohemi420: sorry for your loss.

He sounds like a great person, its unfortunate that things like this happen to good people.

poohbear: pay no attention to moon....he is either off his meds or simply one of the most worthless human beings on the face of the plant.....I tend to believe both.

 

[AlienCraft]

I, too have lost a friend to senseless violence.
My condolences to you.

 

[dguy6789]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Way out of line, over the top offensive post by Moonbeam deleted.

Moderator allisolm

Useless trash.

You have my condolences, OP.

 

[StageLeft]

 

[sandorski]

Damn

 

[extra]

Wow. I guess if this shows one thing it tends to remind us that we need to treat those we love as best as we can, don't put things off until tomorrow, hold your wife/gf close at night, make the time to have that meaningful conversation you've been putting off, etc-- So sorry for your loss, op

 

[silverpig]

Whoa, poor guy.

The killer certainly had something wrong with his mind though as the reason for the murder apparently was that your friend was stealing his energy.

 

[Triumph]

Sorry for your loss man, that's really f'ed up.

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Way out of line, over the top offensive post deleted.

Moderator allisolm

Enough for a week off
Hayabusa Rider- AnandTech Senior Moderator

Wow, never thought I'd see Moon on the chopping block around here. But that brings up a question, since this is posted in P/N are we allowed to discuss/argue about this case?

 

[sonoma1993]

may your friend rest in peace OP

 

[Pohemi]

Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, and condolences...I do appreciate it.

Originally posted by: Triumph
Sorry for your loss man, that's really f'ed up.

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Way out of line, over the top offensive post deleted.

Moderator allisolm

Enough for a week off
Hayabusa Rider- AnandTech Senior Moderator

Wow, never thought I'd see Moon on the chopping block around here. But that brings up a question, since this is posted in P/N are we allowed to discuss/argue about this case?

I guess I should be glad I didn't see Moonbeam's post(?). I'm not sure what he/she posted, but it obviously was not nice or tactful in the least. I posted in P/N to see what opinions people had about how this case might be handled, and the outcome that people would expect for the suspect. I certainly hope anyone who cares or bothers to post will refrain from making ignorant posts about the victim, my friend. Please carry on...but try to be nice? Thanks.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Discussion is allowed but this is a personal loss affecting a member. For purposes of this thread this rule needs to apply "discuss, but do so in a way you would have others do if the tradgedy was yours"

 

[Craig234]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Suggestion, try to understand the murderer somewhat, so you move somewhat from being overwhelmed by hate and a desire for vengeance, and can feel sorry for him, too.

It won't change the anger you feel at the loss, but it might help you do better.

It's natural for the huge loss to create a hole easily filled with a desire for vengeance, that's misguided. You want to DO SOMETHING out of the shock and pain.

There's a huge sense of injustice, that all too easily leads to wanting another injustice. How would your friend want you to deal with this? To cherish him and recover?

 

[Schadenfroh]

 

[Jaskalas]

IMO, this is a clear case for execution.

 

[Carmen813]

I'm sorry for your loss. I hope this guy goes away for a long, long time.