Living in an irrational age is a tough proposition and yet, daily we are faced with this situation. We are taught to treat each individual the same regardless of their moral character. We are indoctrinated with the idea that there is no difference between good and evil. We must not make any value judgments about anyone. We hear the scripture taken out of context in Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, lest ye be judged."
Having a wrong emphasis will result in wrong consequences. Instead of receiving punishment as a criminal, criminals are treated as victims. They are coddled and given more rights than those who do not break the law. Most criminals are lazy and by putting them in prison only contributes to their laziness. They are given access to medical care that they could not afford on the outside because they could not pay for it. It pays to be criminal. The government will make sure that you are well taken care of without having to pay for anything. For those who hate to work, this is an ideal situation. It is rewarding criminal behavior.
A woman named Sonya Phillips, who was awaiting trial for the death of her child, died on December 8, 2000 for what medical examiners say was untreated diabetes. A Federal Appeals Court has ruled that correctional officers at Roane County Jail (TN), a doctor and a paramedic employed at the County Jail can he held liable for Phillips death. What is this decision saying to those who did not murder their own child like Phillips did? Phillips new born baby was found wrapped in plastic in a wooded area and she was charged with first degree murder.
The question is should these law enforcement personnel, doctor, and paramedic be held liable for Phillips’ death and if so on what basis? The Court said that these personnel were aware of Phillips’ deteriorating condition for two weeks prior to her demise. The Court said that their failure to take her to a hospital was intentional apathy to her medical condition. Did Phillips have untreated diabetes prior to her arrest and whose responsibility was it to seek treatment prior to her arrest if she had diabetes?
How can the Court rule with certainty that even if Phillips was taken to a hospital that she would not have died because the diabetes was at such an advanced stage? While it is unfortunate that Phillips died before she could be tried for her heinous act of murdering her own child, the Roane County Jail personnel should not be held liable for her death. She had a pre-existing medical condition that she did nothing about when she was not in custody. This situation would never had occurred had Phillips not murdered her own child.
The result of this decision will end up bankrupting small counties like Roane County. To protect themselves from liability, all prisoners who have a sniffle will be taken to the hospital to make sure that they do not die of some pre-existing condition that they did not take care of on their own. Recruiting for law enforcement personnel and doctors and paramedics will be much more difficult. No one wants to be held responsible for someone’s death that they had no hand in contributing to. Court rulings have consequences. Beware!
1 comment:
Wrong is wrong. But fortunately we do NOT live in a society that is an eye for an eye. There were MANY instances leading up to her death that could have prevented her from dying its in ALL of the paperwork. I knew sonya all my life and still interact with her family. There is so much more to the storyy. Just know her baby was TAKEN from her that night and lets just say a certain public official made arrangements for her to die that day in december. That way his name wouldnt come out. Time will tell and as soon as her other children are grown and do not have to depend on anyone and can be safely out of harms way (seeing how there are NON STOP threats...even now 12 yrs later) IT WILL ALL COME OUT. Whats done in the dark will come to the light...
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