I have followed with great interest the story of Glen Race, who will be sentenced with life in prison for the murder of Darcy Manor of New York State. It most intrigued me that Jane Manor was able to make a statement to Mr. Race, hoping that he will "suffer just half the pain" that Mr. Manor’s family and friends had suffered.
I know how much people with schizophrenia suffer. My husband’s brother, Nigel, suffered from this mental illness for the better part of 25 years. He refused medication and treatment for most of his time with this illness, as he felt it "deadened" him. Even when he was ordered to take the medications, it was too easy for him to run.
I saw first-hand the tortured looks on Nigel’s face in times when he could somewhat manage his symptoms, and I had to fight with anger when he forced entry into our home and had to be forcibly removed by police at gun point.
In the end, Nigel took his own life, only a few months before Mr. Race murdered Darcy Manor. I realize Mr. Race’s crime is a punishable offence and he needs to serve his time, but I hope we can all spare one moment of compassion for Mr. Race, and all people afflicted with mental illness. Mrs. Manor need not hope that Mr. Race will "suffer just half the pain" her family suffers. I am sure Mr. Race suffers every day, from having to cope with this most terrible mental illness.
Mental illness needs a higher profile in our community; we need to spend more on this often marginalized sector of the health care population.
Leslie Hill, Dartmouth
Also see:
'Unspeakable sorrow' haunts murder suspect's family
2 comments:
I'm sure the letter writer did suffer the problems caused by her brother-in-law, and perhaps he did as well. But like Mr Race, he decided he didn't want to take his medication, insuring that his desease impacted those around him, perhaps far more than it impacted him.
As the owner of the lodge where Mr Race murdered Darcy Manor with my rifle, I surely understand Mrs.Manor's words far more than I understand the words of the letter writer.
A man who might well be ill (Mr. Race), made a choice not to take his medication, leading to the most horrible crimes in Mooers, New York and perhaps in Halifax as well. He murders a most dear man, Mr Manor, leaves a young widow, two children under 5, a shattered community, and sense of fear seldom known in this area. A man I did not know, arrived at our property, a man to whom I've never so much as looked at angrily, there in our little slice of heaven in the woods, and he destroys everything about him, including us. And Mrs.Manor, I and others are supposed to have compasssion for his lot in life? I have the same compassion for him as he had for us: none!
I believe Mr. Race will have remorse for his crime after he is stablized on medication. Unfortunately, he will not be able to undo the crime he did, had he been on medication I don't think he would have murdered the person. This is another sad story about the consequences of not taking medication.
Ashley
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