Victim’s illness no excuse

I’m confused by the message behind Judge John Mitchell’s comments about the murder of Dana Brinnon by her husband (Jan. 7).

Mitchell claims that Brinnon “wouldn’t have been in that position if she didn’t have borderline personality disorder that was compounded by the victim’s behavior.” I’m sure many murders are compounded by the victim’s behavior.

In fact, large numbers of women sit behind bars, jailed for years because they have killed husbands they dared to leave. They begged for protection orders, told everyone around them their fears, yet in the end the law says you can’t kill someone because you’re afraid of them, let alone frustrated by them.

Judge Mitchell justifies Brinnon’s murder because her illness “made living with her very, very difficult for this man.”

Shame on him. Living with someone with borderline personality disorder can be very difficult indeed, but is Judge Mitchell going to sanction open season on those suffering from the disorder?

Jennine Murphy

Spokane