McLaughlin claims he heard voices

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Psychiatrist says McLaughlin heard voices before shooting classmates:

From the “You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me Department”…

A former chief psychiatrist at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter says John Jason McLaughlin was schizophrenic and heard a voice urging him to shoot Seth Bartell in 2003.

Dr. Maureen Hackett was the first person to testify on McLaughlin’s behalf Monday afternoon.

Hackett says that while McLaughlin was in custody, the voice he heard became a hallucination named Jake, who was a sort of mentor figure in a trench coat that changed colors and had changing hair to match.

She says McLaughlin was suffering from a major mental illness that affected his reasoning.

Emphasis mine.

If McLaughlin was having these kinds of mental problems, why was he still in school? If he was having hallucinations, I doubt they just manifested on the day of the shooting,

I’m sorry, but this just smacks of a desperate defense team trying to spare their client life in prison.

Comments

26 responses to “McLaughlin claims he heard voices”

July 19, 2005

jaci

First of all of course they are trying to spare him of a life sentence. He is a child still regardless of how the state is trying him. Second of all if you don’t know the facts then you shouldnt have to much to say on the subject. All your posts show is that you have no idea what you are talking about and that you yourself probably have some sort of problem with lying and sticking your nose in other people’s business.

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July 19, 2005

Trench

Then do you care to enlighten us?

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July 19, 2005

jaci

i am just trying to make you aware of the fact that you do not know this boy or his family or what was going on at school. you know what a bunch of highschoolers are saying and you know that what jason did was wrong but none of you were there to know what really did go on. yeah jason did an awful awful thinkg but if welived in an “eye for an eye” society we would all be blind. so just remember that this could happen in your family or with one of your friends. have you ever seen A Beautiful Mind? well who knew he had a mental illness and how long did it take to find out? two lives have already been lost so what now you guyus are ready for a third to go down the drain. jason is mentally unhealthy and we are going to just leave him untreated? that is not right.

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July 19, 2005

robin

May you never be cursed with something of this magnitude in
your family. Bad things happen to good people and you can’t
just put blame where you want. Too many things make things
happen to place blame. things should be done to prevent this
happening to others. the bullies of the schools are very
prevelant,and words live with children forever. the bully
could even be a mean and angry parentunforgiveing of themself
and taking itout on the child,face it the world is harsh and
innnocents pay the price, but as much as you hate what happen
the boy has issues, he needs to be guided not punished for the
rest of his life. why doesn’t anyone ever think what if this was me or my family whatwould i want done in that instance. Always put things in
your zone, how would this be different if it were you? Even
victim families, they must forgive or they will eventually fall
themselves. What goes around in some sort always returns to
the giver. Why hate when solutions are needed? This anger just
fuels more anger and nothing positive happens. I agree forgivness sometimes is extreamly hard but the energy used hating just makes the world harsher. The hatred we show only shows the younger ones it is ok to be so angry and if it is ok to be so vengeful then why wouldn’t it be ok to do this injustice? Think your reactions through, realize the full potential of your words, to anyone who hears or reads this. Don’t you realize the pain in the youth today they look for excuses to do wrong or feel some condonement from others in any sort. Usually the most angry person, has been hurt by something and is forever trying to get back , but get over it, you are never going to get back at anyone. th the best thing for everyone is forgiveness and healing. Let doctors decide his help, and he will forever live with what he has done, God will judge him, who are we to?

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July 19, 2005

Trench

You’re right. It’s God’s will to judge him. I just wish it was up to the state to arrange the meeting.

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July 19, 2005

Denise

This is to Jaci’s comments, from a family member of Seth’s who does know the facts.
Jason WAS NOT bullied. There was not ONE person who corroborated
that accusation. Jason knew what he was doing, he killed Seth in cold
blood while looking him in his eyes. Consider this:
In previouse trials the courts and doctors have already determined he will NEVER be a productive member of society.
They’ve already determined there is only one facility in the COUNTRY that could hold this kid.

And to Robin, He should have been guided in life by his parents at an early age……why is it now our
responsibilty to guide this sick individual.
RIGHT/WRONG very clear to me as it was to him. Do the crime, pay the time. We need to quit
pampering these kids.
Trench is right, this is one last ditch effort by a desperate defense attorney. I have faith the judge will find him totally sane and he will go away forever. Doesn’t matter to me personally which
place he goes to as long as it is forever.
Thank goodness Minnesota has the toughest criteria when it comes to
proving insanity!
You high and mighties have never (hopefully you never will) had a loved one murdered, you don’t know!

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July 19, 2005

jaci

TO DENISE I AM SOME ONE THAT KNOWS THAT FACTS BEING ONE OF JASONS RELATIVES AND DO YOU THINK THAT SETH OR HIS FRIENDS WOULD SAY HEY YEAH I PICK ON THAT KID ALL OF THE TIME. AS FOR BEING BROUGHT UP RIGHT BY HIS PARENTS HE WAS. BAD THINGS HAPPEN. JASON HAS BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT DID NOT DO THE SAME THING. HE WAS TAUGHT RIGHT FROM WRONG AND SO OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING MORE WAS WRONG. MAYBE SETHS PARENTS SHOULD HAVE TAUGHT HIM NOT TO PICK ON OTHER KIDS. I AM SORRY THAT THIS HAPPENED BUT IT WAS NOT FORSEEN AND I JUST DONT THINK THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PICTURE.

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July 19, 2005

Trench

Jason is alive. Seth and Aaron aren’t. Jason killed them. SIck or not he’s a danger and needs to go away for a long time.

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July 19, 2005

Denise

Jaci,
Obviously you did not read what I wrote….Seth did not tease Jason-it was proven in court.
I don’t think You are looking at the whole picture.

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July 19, 2005

jaci

THE ONLY THING PROVEN IN COURT WAS THAT THE HIGHSCHOOL IS FULL OF A BUNCH OF LIARS OBVIOUSLY. BESIDES MICHAEL JACKSON WAS NOT GUILTY RIGHT OR THAT IS JUST WHAT THEY PROVED IN COURT. IF YOU HAVENT FIGURED IT OUT THE TRUTH IS NOT ALWAYS TOLD IN COURT. YOU DONT HAVE TO BE A GENIOUS TO KNOW THAT.

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July 19, 2005

Trench

And here the myth propagates again. So what if he was teased. So was I when I was in school and so were a bunch of other people. Only we didn’t take up guns and kill people. It doesn’t take a genius to know that taking a gun to school is wrong.

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July 20, 2005

kungfunurse

Jaci, I’m a bit confused as to your stance, here. Why do you feel the need to protect a killer? Protect the killer’s family, yes, I agree with you there. I’m certain they are as horrified as any of us, perhaps more than most. But unlike the Jackson trial where there were conflicting testimonies, there is NO doubt that Jason is a killer. Why are you protecting him? Why are you trying to take away his responsbility for his actions?

If we all went around saying “oh that poor boy who killed those students, let’s bake him some cookies” then we would be failing in our societal responsibility to prevent the crime from happening again. The most effective behavior modifier isn’t punishment (the application of negative stimuli such as yelling or sending them to prison) or negative reinforcement (the removal of negative stimuli such as letting someone out of jail when they’re good) but shunning. People are pack animals. It’s how we’re made up. At our core, we fear the loss of our status in our peer group more than anything else.

So I say insult the boy. Show him that we don’t approve of his actions and never will. And more importantly show every other child who thinks about pulling a gun that they will be treated to the same ridicule. They’re not some cool avenger of wrongs, they’re sick, twisted little freaks. End of story.

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July 20, 2005

jim

I have a good guess as to why she is defending this murderer. Im thinking she was/is his girlfriend and has been brainwashed (of sorts not in the literal sence) into thinking anything he does isnt his fault.

I know his real name is Jason McLaughlin but does he happen to go by the name Gene Snitski too?

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July 20, 2005

jaci

i am just defending the fact that jason needs help not prison which will just deteriorate his mind even more. besides you act like a mental institution is a good place to go. not likely. it iis no more pleasant in a mental hospital than a prison the only difference is that jason might actually recieve some mental health. i dont understand how someone could not want to help heal this boys mind. i just think that it is cruel to say yeah so what this boy is sick. it is his own fault let him go to prison and get whatever they have to offer him which is nothing. but i guess that is why our world is falling apart, everyone just thinks of themselves.

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July 20, 2005

robin

Kungfunurse, i agree with most of what your saying about how and why things are the way they are but honestly don’t you think most prison systems are thow away holes? I work for a state prison system and i think we are the only state that has some kind of program in effect trying to rehabilitate them into productive workers when they get out(if they get out)to have a job skill so they wont’ feel the pressure to do the same thing to make a living. So my question is this should help be given to correct what was done? Yes he should be punished, i don’t even think Jaci thinks otherwise, but you punish people different ways. His disease will only get worse in a prison, shouldn’t he get some therapy and meds, some counseling? Something to maybe make him understand why he is being punished? what he did, that it was his fault and realize why it is wrong and then if he ever gets it then punish him and i am sure he would agree he needs the punishment. Most young children see hitting back or biting as an ok thing. They don’t understand it isn’t ok, so it is my thought Jason didn’t get it, he isn’t mature in the head or maybe not able to comprehend it, so fix that firsst, then punishment should follow.

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July 20, 2005

Trench

Prison or mental facilty. It doesn’t matter which. Just as long as he’s off the streets for good.

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July 20, 2005

Bunny

I love every statement robin makes:razz:

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July 20, 2005

jim

That’s because your retarded bunny.

Robin… You referred to Jason’s crime as being something caused by a disease. ARE YOU FUCKING NUTS ?! Cancer is a disease… HIV, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s… those are fucking diseases.
Murder… shooting and unarmed person in the face, point blank, after chasing him down is NOT a disease and is NOT caused by a disease. If you really believe this story about his mental health your expediently more moronic that I originally thought.

This message was brought to you by T.O.A.S.T
(The Organization Against Stupid Trolls)

“We take care of the trolls so that Trench can deliver the news”

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July 21, 2005

kungfunurse

Hey Robin, good reply and a thoughtful rebuttal.

I think you’re right, most prisons *are* just throw-away holes. And normally I would agree that having a rehab program to give inmates an actual option once they’re released is a good thing.

However, I’m not at all convinced that Jason is one of those that can benefit from such a program.

IMO (and only IMO, if someone has better facts than I, please sing out) rehab works for those who have some sort of, um, solid moral base to fall back on. I’m not sure that I’m expressing myself clearly here, so just bear with me for a second. Theives, drug users and sellers, even the occasional arsonist or what-have-you often have a childhood morality that they can return to after they’ve lost their way.

But Jason *is* a child. He’s got nothing to fall back on, no real previous time or experience lived as a non-criminal. You can’t RE-habilitate him. You’d have to start from the ground up, and the odds of success are vanishingly small.

I’m reminded of Ted Bundy, one of our nations most infamous serial killers. Everyone who knew him thought of him as a nice, thoughtful, caring individual. Most people who knew him could not believe of him that he had committed his crimes. And Bundy started in childhood by torturing and killing animals.

Jason began with his classmates.

So yes, Robin, while I am in favor of saving those who can be saved, I personally don’t think there’s anything we can do for someone as far off course as early in life as Jason. Even if someone were to tell me 20 years from now that he was made to understand his crime and promised not to hurt anyone ever again, I still wouldn’t hire him or let my children play next to his house.

I think the main problem is trying to understand the difference between being criminally insane and being evil.

Now, I’m hesitant to use the word “evil”, as it carries a cache of religious and spritual subtext that people just love to argue about. So for the sake of the discussion, let’s just define evil as something wholey without goodness. Just because we understand the root cause of the evil action, ie Jason was compelled to kill because his friend in the multi-colored trenchcoat made him do it, does not mean that we can cure him of the evil. As Jaci mentioned (although she likely didn’t mean to make my arguement for me) some people are just bad seeds, somehow born without the correct wiring to function in society and who escaped the social programming we all recieve not to hurt other people.

In short, those who kill as children (except in rare cases like the boy who shot his mother’s boyfriend to save her life) are unlikely to respond to any form of rehab. So I don’t know what else to do with Jason except to put him where he won’t have the chance to it again.

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July 21, 2005

shos

o.k. jaci, either you are very stupid, in deniel, or maybe you just aren’t very well informed. did you know that if he had pleaded guilty, he has never denied killing aaron and seth, then he could have taken the plea agreement, a nice long stay in a mental hospital. but for your information Jason and his lawyer turned it down. I hope this means jason dug his own grave…I hope he never sees freedom again. and I don’t care if you are a relative, take it from a relative of one of the true victims, at least you can see jason, write him letters, know that he is alive, do you care that I/we have to go to a grave to talk with our little cousin?? Do you care that Seth’s brother laid down next to hislittle brother on a cold gym floor and curled his six-foot tall around his little brother to protect him and comfort him until help came?? ou talk about suffering, you don’t even know the meaning of suffering!! oh, Denise it’s been great reading your comments, from one cousin of seths to another keep on defending our aunt and uncle and defending seth and what an awesome kid he was!!

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July 21, 2005

Rocori Mom

Oh, Shos, I had no idea. My son knows Seth’s brother a little, but my son doesn’t discuss much of what happened that day with me. He had spent all of the period prior to this talking with Aaron, a friend of his. He was across the hall in the lunchroom when it all went down. I want you to know, Shos, that I pray for your family and, of course Aaron’s family too. I even say a prayer for Jason’s family.

As for the teasing, Seth wasn’t a teaser! Even the psychiatrist said that Jason may have fabricated the teasing from Seth in his mind. One other student who Jason was “looking” for was absent that day due to, I believe, his grandfather’s funeral. Otherwise, Cody may not be here as well. 😥

One last comment to Trench — Thank you for this site and the opportunity to discuss!!

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July 21, 2005

Trench

It’s the least I could do.

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July 21, 2005

robin

I think your brain is toast, Jim.
Kungfunurse
Mostly agree again with you.But having known Jason, he has never shown an evil side, most always shown compassion and consideration. So whatever brought this up if it is voices or whatever,he has in the past been a very likeable kid. just reading the transcripts, made me see him as very young, immature in mind. But . I just feel there has to be help for him then but I am not a doctor and do not know the realities . I just find it hard to believe it wouldn’t be a possibility

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July 21, 2005

Suzie

I wonder why victims turn into perfect angels and
the perpetrator turns into perfect demons when
rarely is that the truth?

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July 21, 2005

Trench

I wonder why killers try to portray themselves as victims when that’s rarely the truth.

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July 21, 2005

jim

I wonder why people look at a criminal and say… oh he must have a disease. As apposed to the simple truth… he’s a deranged evil little prick who took it upon himself to execute two people. he deserves no compassion, he deserves no love, he deserves no forgiveness and he deserves no sympathy. Fuck him let him rot in hell.

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