A Big High
What to do with an unrepentant psychopath for whom the lives of others are insignificant. Who derives great pleasure, a huge release of tensions that build up over a period of time, by killing other human beings. And who prides himself on doing just that. And who has boasted to none other than a newspaper reporter that nothing could conceivably restrain him from killing another person, should he desire to do so.
Even while incarcerated, he stressed, proudly, the opportunities exist. And he could and would take advantage of those opportunities. He might not have done so, quite as readily if he were not, while imprisoned, been so dreadfully irritated by a circumstance forced upon him that he was uncomfortable with. Mind, the individual whom he murdered by strangulation was similarly uncomfortable with that same situation.
One which was occasioned by the murderer, Michael Wayne McGray, being placed in a cell together with another prisoner, Jeremy Phillips, whose own crime was not quite as horrendous as those of his cell-mate, for he had been found guilty of savagely beating someone. Jeremy Phillips was terrified of Michael Wayne McGray, but that was not in and of itself unusual in prison, for everyone, including the most hardened criminals gave Michael Wayne McGray space.
How much space is there in a prison cell? Jeremy Phillips begged to be moved out of the cell he shared with someone he was so morbidly and with good reason, fearful of. He was told by a guard to "suck it up". He must have tried. Though doubtless he had good reason to be haunted by a completely rational belief that his life would be in danger, while in close proximity to this other man. A man who murdered at will, and enjoyed the sensation that flooded over him as he watched his victims die.
His need to kill was described by him as a hunger that would not otherwise be assuaged. "It's something that builds up and gets stronger and stronger and stronger over the months. It starts out like an urge, but then it's so strong in the end that it's almost like a hunger. It's something I need... When I kill it's a big high for me." His installation from a high-security prison to the medium-security Mountain Institution in Agassiz, B.C. afforded him that opportunity.
All the other inmates in the prison were aware of Michael Wayne McGray's simmering anger over sharing a cell with Jeremy Phillips. Sharing a cell with anyone was an imposition on his perceived right to be comfortable in his own presence. "Everyone walked on eggshells around him", one of the inmates explained. And described how, before his death, Jeremy Phillips pleaded "I have to move. I have to move now", and how the prison officers turned him down.
The parents of Jeremy Phillips are now suing the Correction Service of Canada, for the "reckless indifference" and negligence they demonstrated in their decision-making respecting their son. They are looking for $11-million in damages. As for Michael Wayne McGray, he now faces his seventh conviction and sentencing for murder; given another life sentence, to be served concurrently with the other six.
He should not be eligible for parole even after 25 years. All those in authority whose decisions led to the death of Jeremy Phillips should be relieved of their positions. And, in fact, they should be held accountable for what transpired.
Even while incarcerated, he stressed, proudly, the opportunities exist. And he could and would take advantage of those opportunities. He might not have done so, quite as readily if he were not, while imprisoned, been so dreadfully irritated by a circumstance forced upon him that he was uncomfortable with. Mind, the individual whom he murdered by strangulation was similarly uncomfortable with that same situation.
One which was occasioned by the murderer, Michael Wayne McGray, being placed in a cell together with another prisoner, Jeremy Phillips, whose own crime was not quite as horrendous as those of his cell-mate, for he had been found guilty of savagely beating someone. Jeremy Phillips was terrified of Michael Wayne McGray, but that was not in and of itself unusual in prison, for everyone, including the most hardened criminals gave Michael Wayne McGray space.
How much space is there in a prison cell? Jeremy Phillips begged to be moved out of the cell he shared with someone he was so morbidly and with good reason, fearful of. He was told by a guard to "suck it up". He must have tried. Though doubtless he had good reason to be haunted by a completely rational belief that his life would be in danger, while in close proximity to this other man. A man who murdered at will, and enjoyed the sensation that flooded over him as he watched his victims die.
His need to kill was described by him as a hunger that would not otherwise be assuaged. "It's something that builds up and gets stronger and stronger and stronger over the months. It starts out like an urge, but then it's so strong in the end that it's almost like a hunger. It's something I need... When I kill it's a big high for me." His installation from a high-security prison to the medium-security Mountain Institution in Agassiz, B.C. afforded him that opportunity.
All the other inmates in the prison were aware of Michael Wayne McGray's simmering anger over sharing a cell with Jeremy Phillips. Sharing a cell with anyone was an imposition on his perceived right to be comfortable in his own presence. "Everyone walked on eggshells around him", one of the inmates explained. And described how, before his death, Jeremy Phillips pleaded "I have to move. I have to move now", and how the prison officers turned him down.
The parents of Jeremy Phillips are now suing the Correction Service of Canada, for the "reckless indifference" and negligence they demonstrated in their decision-making respecting their son. They are looking for $11-million in damages. As for Michael Wayne McGray, he now faces his seventh conviction and sentencing for murder; given another life sentence, to be served concurrently with the other six.
He should not be eligible for parole even after 25 years. All those in authority whose decisions led to the death of Jeremy Phillips should be relieved of their positions. And, in fact, they should be held accountable for what transpired.
Labels: Canada, Crime, Human Relations, Psychopathy
posted by Pieface | 7:29 PM
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