Dell S
J Med Ethics. 1986 Mar;12(1):28-31. doi: 10.1136/jme.12.1.28.
Sentencing in homicide depends on how psychiatrists view the issues of Section 2. In most killings that do not involve clear-cut mental disorder, strong emotions and stress play a part. Both can be cited in aid of diminished responsibility. If doctors cite them, however tentatively, it becomes feasible for the court to review any mitigating factors and to choose an appropriate penalty. Otherwise, the mandatory penalty is imposed. Thus doctors, by opining not on the medical but on the legal and moral aspects of Section 2, decide who shall automatically get a life sentence and who shall not. Anomaly and injustice are the results. They would be remedied by the abolition of the mandatory sentence for murder.
杀人罪的量刑取决于精神病医生如何看待第2条中的问题。在大多数不涉及明显精神障碍的杀人案件中，强烈的情感和压力都起到了一定作用。两者都可被援引以减轻责任。然而，如果医生哪怕只是试探性地援引它们，法院就有可能审查任何减轻处罚的因素并选择适当的刑罚。否则，就会判处强制性刑罚。因此，医生通过对第2条的法律和道德层面而非医学层面发表意见，决定谁将自动被判处无期徒刑，谁不会。结果就是出现了反常和不公。废除对谋杀罪的强制性刑罚将可对此加以纠正。
