"In the Hands of God"

The teenager accused of murdering his grandparents and then blaming his behavior on the prescription drug Zoloft, has been found guilty and sentenced to 30 years in jail according to the AP.

Christopher Pittman hung his head as the verdict was read after about six hours of deliberations. He spoke briefly to the court before the sentence was handed down.

"I know it's in the hands of God. Whatever he decides is what it's going to be," Pittman said quietly.

Mrs. Scar and I have differing opinions on this case, and I must say she followed it in more detail than I did.

Although I don't believe the Zoloft defense was the right way to go, and I'm no lawyer, I do believe that an anti-depressant that is made for adults could cause unwanted behavior in children (Pittman was 12 when he committed the crime).

The Food and Drug Administration seems to think so as well, forcing Zoloft and other anti-depressants to carry warnings of increased suicidal risks in children. Wouldn't it be fair to say that a drug powerful enough to cause increased suicidal risks could cause other disturbing reactions?

It's a very sad case and I'm not so sure that sending this boy to prison for the next 30 years is the right answer. Even under normal conditions a 12 year old, one who has experienced physical abuse, can make horrific decisions without having the mental capacity to appreciate the consequences as well as the deed itself.

On the other hand, all that I have been told is how calculating he was both during and after the killings. Again, I have not followed this case as closely as maybe I should have. Perhaps the punishment is just, but it sure doesn't seem like it from my limited vantage point.