James Holmes Research Paper
Irving Ramirez
English 121
Ms. Ettlinger
15 October 2012
It wasn’t James Holmes Imagine having a family member that suffers from a mental illness and is not always in full control over his actions. He has not gotten the help he needs yet and has become addicted to medication with life dangering side effects. Then one day he unexpectedly goes out and commits a horrific crime. Should he have to go through the same process that a perfectly sane criminal would go through? Should he be detained or actually get the help he needs through rehabilitation to overcome his illness? This story summarizes exactly what happened to James Holmes. On July 20, 2012 during The Dark Knight Rises premier, James Holmes allegedly killed 12 people and injured 58 others in Aurora Colorado (Press). It was not Holmes’ complete fault for committing the crime. Holmes should have the opportunity to be rehabilitated because his mind is a great asset to society; he also suffered from psychiatric problems that can be fixed through rehab.
` James …show more content…
Holmes has potential to help society through his intellect. Based on his college studies, Holmes displayed intelligence at high levels. He was attending the University of Colorado trying to earn his PhD in Neuroscience. It is estimated that only about 1 percent of the U.S. population has a PhD (Roush). If Holmes is to be rehabilitated he could be back on the path to pursuing his PhD in Neuroscience. This shows that there is in fact a place for him within our society after being rehabilitated. His mind is a great asset to society that can help move our country forward through research and other work. Because of a mental illness, Holmes should not be detained without getting the opportunity to get his old character back through rehab.
Due to his psychiatric problems, Holmes had trouble determining Reality and Fiction. He met with three mental health professionals at the University of Colorado prior to the massacre (Evening Standard). He obviously was trying to get help to cope with his illness but never received it. Holmes sent a text to one of his friends telling her that he was suffering from Dysphoric Mania. New York Times states, “She messaged back, asking him if dysphoric mania could be managed with treatment. Mr. Holmes replied: ' 'It was, ' ' but added that she should stay away from him ' 'because I am bad news” (Frosch). This could be a point in time where Holmes is battling to stay in control because he knows that his actions are unpredictable. According to Dr. Alan C. Swann Dysphoric Mania consists of a manic phase which includes dark and negative emotions (Frosch). Swann says, “A person can feel depressed and hopeless, but they can be activated and have energy at the same time” (Frosch). In other words a period of “laziness” can be abruptly changed by a short burst of energy to do something irrational. This is a severe condition but it doesn’t mean that it can’t be overcome. James home being rehabilited should give him the tools to overcome this mental illness and making him a better person for the world. His psychiatric problems affected him in more than one way. Holmes had difficulty being in the same mental state at all times. According to an article published by NaturalSociety, Holmes was reported telling the police that he was the Joker (Gucciardi). It shows that during the shooting Holmes was in a crazed state of mind. It didn’t seem like the same man that friends and family remembered. However, during his court dates James Holmes showed little to no emotion. It didn’t seem like the same crazed man shooting innocent people at a theater. His mind set seemed to have changed to the point where he even said that he couldn’t remember to what took place or what he had done. It is not right to detain someone that is not mentally conscious during a crime. Rehabilitation is the only answer to help Holmes recover to stay in the right state of mind at all times.
Not only was state of mind altered by his mental illness, his reported drug abuse also contributed to his condition.
He was hooked on, prescription painkiller, Vicodin. Holmes reported that he had dosed up on a pharmaceutical cocktail just before the shooting (Natual Society). The side effects of Vicodin use include altered mental states and unusual thoughts or behavior. He went into the theater with a high produced from the Vicodin. It shows that he was not himself during the crime. The reports troubled family and friends. A website states, “He shocked many friends and relatives, who said just a year ago Holmes was seen as an “all-American boy” with an affinity for his family” (Evening Standard). It appears what changed was Holmes’ decision making because of the prescription drug abuse. Through rehab Holmes can overcome his mental illness along with his drug abuse which changes his state of mind and causes him to act
irrationally.
The opposing side may argue that Holmes should be detained because there are signs of premeditation. Premeditation would mean that he knew everything that was taking place. This would close the idea that he is mentally ill therefore; there is no reason to rehabilitate him. The opposing side says a package that Holmes sent to his psychiatrist is evidence of premeditation. “Dr. Lynne Fenton received a package that is said to contain Holmes notebook on the night of the attack” (Healy). Because it was sent on the night of the attack, prosecutors claim that the notebook has the exact plans of the attack. This would be crucial evidence that the act of violence was indeed premeditated.
Although this can be a strong argument to prove that the whole attack was premeditated and Holmes was not suffering from mental illness, there are no facts to back up the prosecution’s claim. A claim which states that inside the notebook are drawings and notes for carrying out the attack. The package is still sealed and has not been opened. No one knows what the notebook contains because the package cannot be opened. “The Notebook is protected by doctor-patient privilege” (Healy). This means that only Dr. Lynne Fenton can see the notebook but still cannot disclose any information about it. With this said, all of the opposing side’s claims that the notebook is filled with evidence are only assumptions.
In conclusion Holmes should be rehabilitated to help with his mental illness and drug abuse. These are severe conditions but can be treated with time and Holmes can back to the same person that people remember him as. He needs an opportunity to bring back his old self. By rehabilitating him he would be able to help the world through his knowledge and profession. As I stated before, how would one feel if this type of situation would happen to a family member? Everyone deserves a chance to be restored to a better person especially someone suffering from mental illness.
Works Cited
" 'Batman killer made threats weeks before cinema attack '." Evening Standard [London, England] 24 Aug. 2012: 30. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 23 Oct. 2012
Frosch, Dan, et al. "Before Gunfire, Hints of 'Bad News '." New York Times 27 Aug. 2012: A1(L). Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.
Healy, Jack. "Psychiatrist Questioned In Colorado Shootings." New York Times 31 Aug. 2012: A19(L). Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 24 Oct. 2012.
James Holmes Was on Pharmaceutical Drugs." Natural Society. N.p., 23 2012. Web. 23 Oct 2012. .
Press, Associated. "District attorney in theater shooting gets access to some of James Holmes ' records."TimesFreePress. Chattanooga Publishing
Roush, Wade. "Grad schools ratings rankle." Science 269.5231 (1995): 1660+. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 24 Oct. 2012.
English 121
Ms. Ettlinger
15 October 2012
It wasn’t James Holmes Imagine having a family member that suffers from a mental illness and is not always in full control over his actions. He has not gotten the help he needs yet and has become addicted to medication with life dangering side effects. Then one day he unexpectedly goes out and commits a horrific crime. Should he have to go through the same process that a perfectly sane criminal would go through? Should he be detained or actually get the help he needs through rehabilitation to overcome his illness? This story summarizes exactly what happened to James Holmes. On July 20, 2012 during The Dark Knight Rises premier, James Holmes allegedly killed 12 people and injured 58 others in Aurora Colorado (Press). It was not Holmes’ complete fault for committing the crime. Holmes should have the opportunity to be rehabilitated because his mind is a great asset to society; he also suffered from psychiatric problems that can be fixed through rehab.
` James …show more content…
Holmes has potential to help society through his intellect. Based on his college studies, Holmes displayed intelligence at high levels. He was attending the University of Colorado trying to earn his PhD in Neuroscience. It is estimated that only about 1 percent of the U.S. population has a PhD (Roush). If Holmes is to be rehabilitated he could be back on the path to pursuing his PhD in Neuroscience. This shows that there is in fact a place for him within our society after being rehabilitated. His mind is a great asset to society that can help move our country forward through research and other work. Because of a mental illness, Holmes should not be detained without getting the opportunity to get his old character back through rehab.
Due to his psychiatric problems, Holmes had trouble determining Reality and Fiction. He met with three mental health professionals at the University of Colorado prior to the massacre (Evening Standard). He obviously was trying to get help to cope with his illness but never received it. Holmes sent a text to one of his friends telling her that he was suffering from Dysphoric Mania. New York Times states, “She messaged back, asking him if dysphoric mania could be managed with treatment. Mr. Holmes replied: ' 'It was, ' ' but added that she should stay away from him ' 'because I am bad news” (Frosch). This could be a point in time where Holmes is battling to stay in control because he knows that his actions are unpredictable. According to Dr. Alan C. Swann Dysphoric Mania consists of a manic phase which includes dark and negative emotions (Frosch). Swann says, “A person can feel depressed and hopeless, but they can be activated and have energy at the same time” (Frosch). In other words a period of “laziness” can be abruptly changed by a short burst of energy to do something irrational. This is a severe condition but it doesn’t mean that it can’t be overcome. James home being rehabilited should give him the tools to overcome this mental illness and making him a better person for the world. His psychiatric problems affected him in more than one way. Holmes had difficulty being in the same mental state at all times. According to an article published by NaturalSociety, Holmes was reported telling the police that he was the Joker (Gucciardi). It shows that during the shooting Holmes was in a crazed state of mind. It didn’t seem like the same man that friends and family remembered. However, during his court dates James Holmes showed little to no emotion. It didn’t seem like the same crazed man shooting innocent people at a theater. His mind set seemed to have changed to the point where he even said that he couldn’t remember to what took place or what he had done. It is not right to detain someone that is not mentally conscious during a crime. Rehabilitation is the only answer to help Holmes recover to stay in the right state of mind at all times.
Not only was state of mind altered by his mental illness, his reported drug abuse also contributed to his condition.
He was hooked on, prescription painkiller, Vicodin. Holmes reported that he had dosed up on a pharmaceutical cocktail just before the shooting (Natual Society). The side effects of Vicodin use include altered mental states and unusual thoughts or behavior. He went into the theater with a high produced from the Vicodin. It shows that he was not himself during the crime. The reports troubled family and friends. A website states, “He shocked many friends and relatives, who said just a year ago Holmes was seen as an “all-American boy” with an affinity for his family” (Evening Standard). It appears what changed was Holmes’ decision making because of the prescription drug abuse. Through rehab Holmes can overcome his mental illness along with his drug abuse which changes his state of mind and causes him to act
irrationally.
The opposing side may argue that Holmes should be detained because there are signs of premeditation. Premeditation would mean that he knew everything that was taking place. This would close the idea that he is mentally ill therefore; there is no reason to rehabilitate him. The opposing side says a package that Holmes sent to his psychiatrist is evidence of premeditation. “Dr. Lynne Fenton received a package that is said to contain Holmes notebook on the night of the attack” (Healy). Because it was sent on the night of the attack, prosecutors claim that the notebook has the exact plans of the attack. This would be crucial evidence that the act of violence was indeed premeditated.
Although this can be a strong argument to prove that the whole attack was premeditated and Holmes was not suffering from mental illness, there are no facts to back up the prosecution’s claim. A claim which states that inside the notebook are drawings and notes for carrying out the attack. The package is still sealed and has not been opened. No one knows what the notebook contains because the package cannot be opened. “The Notebook is protected by doctor-patient privilege” (Healy). This means that only Dr. Lynne Fenton can see the notebook but still cannot disclose any information about it. With this said, all of the opposing side’s claims that the notebook is filled with evidence are only assumptions.
In conclusion Holmes should be rehabilitated to help with his mental illness and drug abuse. These are severe conditions but can be treated with time and Holmes can back to the same person that people remember him as. He needs an opportunity to bring back his old self. By rehabilitating him he would be able to help the world through his knowledge and profession. As I stated before, how would one feel if this type of situation would happen to a family member? Everyone deserves a chance to be restored to a better person especially someone suffering from mental illness.
Works Cited
" 'Batman killer made threats weeks before cinema attack '." Evening Standard [London, England] 24 Aug. 2012: 30. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 23 Oct. 2012
Frosch, Dan, et al. "Before Gunfire, Hints of 'Bad News '." New York Times 27 Aug. 2012: A1(L). Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.
Healy, Jack. "Psychiatrist Questioned In Colorado Shootings." New York Times 31 Aug. 2012: A19(L). Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 24 Oct. 2012.
James Holmes Was on Pharmaceutical Drugs." Natural Society. N.p., 23 2012. Web. 23 Oct 2012. .
Press, Associated. "District attorney in theater shooting gets access to some of James Holmes ' records."TimesFreePress. Chattanooga Publishing
Roush, Wade. "Grad schools ratings rankle." Science 269.5231 (1995): 1660+. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 24 Oct. 2012.