Mar, Tulsa (11/7/2009 10:17:30 AM)

The old "mentally ill" routine. Ever since the Courts started allowing this as a defense, it has been worked to death. I would guess that the majority of mentally ill defenses are nothing more than the killer getting suddenly angry, having a temper tantrum.

Few Clothes, America (11/8/2009 9:12:02 AM)

That also baffles me Popeye. Most of us wouldn't thank of asking any stranger in our houses. It usually doesn't end up well.

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/7/2009 7:16:29 PM)

SO! Stand trail for murder and let a jury hear see your tears and here your cries. Time to cut loose another weed dealer, we're gonna need the space.

Popeye, T-Town (11/7/2009 6:15:41 AM)

So how, exactly, does someone get from ""The two were strangers and had just met about 3:30 p.m. outside a Walmart in Midwest City"", to getting inside the victim's home?

I mean, are people still so naive that they're inviting total strangers home with them?

BarefootOkieGal, Sacramento (11/9/2009 3:50:46 PM)

I'd have to do some more reading on the topic to refresh myself, but I don't think that bipolar disorder is considered a psychotic disorder that could cause a person to meet the criteria for insanity as far as the law and courts are concerned; I did find this quick little snippet explaining bipolar disorder and some characteristics: "Someone with bipolar disorder is not always in either a manic or a depressive phase; he or she may have long periods during which they seem virtually symptom-free (does not have the disordered thinking, delusions, voices, or other symptoms that characterize schizophrenia). Likewise, any psychotic symptoms associated with bipolar disorder should occur within the context of a manic or a depressive state - delusions of grandeur and hallucinations may be either wildly optimistic and grandiose, or completely disastrous and guilt-ridden." This paragraph is describing the difference between schizophrenia (which always involves the element of psychosis) and bipolar, which causes "mood swings" which are usually not dangerous to others, although a bipolar person is more prone to suicide during the depressive state. At any rate, bipolar disorder alone is not enough to meet most states' criteria for the insanity defense.

I'm also confused as to why the woman took this person home with her! Did she actually invite her home? Did she follow her home? Did she break into the house after following her? I have a LOT of questions about an elderly woman allowing a stranger into her house after a chance encounter.

BarefootOkieGal, Sacramento (11/9/2009 5:49:16 PM)

I have a friend with a bipolar wife who is not taking her meds - while she will occasionally go off on a manic tear and call people and yell at them and just generally freak out, I've never seen her actually DO anything violent to someone - just get violently angry and scream. I've never known anyone with bipolar disorder to be so far gone in psychosis that they would kill someone without intending to. In legal terms, the ability to form intent to kill is one of the things that has to be present in order for a person to be found guilty of most forms of murder. People who are bipolar ARE sick, but they certainly do have the ability to form intent to kill and they certainly do know right from wrong. As Elusive said, she could have walked away from the situation, no matter how angry she was.

aint missbehavin, .. (11/7/2009 10:09:52 PM)

Makes me wonder why she went home with the victim.Thats really true about inviting a total stranger to your home.Must have been some funny business goin on,Mr.Jones.

Elusive, the burbs (11/9/2009 4:07:38 PM)

People with Bipolar disorder can have extremes in mood from high to low. It doesn't say if she was on medication and for how long, etc. In either case she is responsible for her behavior. It was not insanity. She could have walked away from the situation that enraged her.

Thunder196, Tulsa (11/9/2009 5:53:42 PM)

Can't state what I really think.

okie ridgerunner, Small Country Town State Line (11/7/2009 1:07:33 PM)

If she is that bad she sure needs to be locked up for the rest of her life.she could do it again at any time.

I know people who are bipolar that would give you the shirt off their back. (figure of speech)and would never do any thing like that. some have a lot of compassion.

justiceawaits, Claremore (11/8/2009 8:37:11 AM)

Another dirtbag preying on the weak and elderly.
Lock her up and throw away the key.
Better yet just shoot her in the head and put her out if her misery.

scooter2, (11/7/2009 11:00:32 AM)

Bipolar, Hmmm

seymore1965, Tulsa (11/7/2009 8:55:01 AM)

I suffer sometimes too. You don't see me killing old women who I just met.

rumockingme, Tulsa (11/9/2009 12:18:43 PM)

Claiming mental illness does not sound like a viable defense to me. This woman had the awareness that her actions were wrong. She took advantage of an elderly person who was unable to defend herself. I hope that justice in this case is swift and merciless; just as her act of murder.