The Philpotts charged...

[rowanwitch]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...d-derbyshire-18261680

In court today... this could be a long drawn out case

[DTCwordfan]

that was more at mike and others, anne

as to mental illness, probably no - suggested low IQs though (as reported I hasten to add).

[rowanwitch]

This is going to get messier and messier.... and i have a feeling a few people with axes to grind will come out too

[Maggoty]

OK assuming that they did it - they could be charged with either.

Murder is considered to be malum in se, that is an act which is evil within itself. Unlawful killings without malice or intent are considered manslaughter.

But generally murder must be with the intent to kill or with the intent to cause harm whether to that peson or to another (ie if you aim and shoot a gun at someone but kill someone else - that is still murder)

So what is it? There was intent, the deaths were a result of a deliberate criminal act and the crime was one that would reasonably cause harm to person or persons (as opposed to shoplifting etc).

Isn't there such a thing in the states as Gross Negligent Homicide? These parents had a duty of care to those children and , unless mad, must have known that there was a danger of harm.

However - they may still be innocent.

x

[jake-the-peg]

You're seriously missing the point there Breden

Of course it's still murder but because they're white we don't have certain individuals on this thread trying to make it out to be a racial issue

compare and contrast to Baz's effort to make the Baby P case a race issue

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1134185.html

[Baldric]

Jake, as far as I can see YOU are the only person to suggest a racial motive,
imagine some people on here if they had been imigrants
not the time or place.

[emmie]

I was quite surprised that the parents had been charged. It's inconceivable that someone would set fire to their own property, and if it was for gain, and they are found guilty, then i hope they rot.

[ladybirder]

Em, It's inconceivable that someone would set fire to their own property

Daffy has said she knows several people who have done it, so it isn't. Hard to believe I know.

[emmie]

Ladyb, really, it's bizarre..

[zebo]

I don't think a lot of people understand the effects of smoke inhalation, it's rarely that fire that kills.

[ladybirder]

Em, here's the link where daffy says it, she posts several times on the first page.

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1138306.html