TOPIC: Re: what makes one a "tokenholic"?

It's not mental defect or mental illness. It's actually an affirmative defense written into the statute of some states. For instance, here is how it was used in Florida once and the actual law . It was initially put in so that people could kill adulterous spouses when they were caught in the act. It's been expanded over the years so you can kill more than just a spouse.

How about the neighbor who won't mow his lawn? Can we include him too?

    Kim,  I live in Florida, as Henwy put forth by citing Florida materials.<br /><br />     Henwy, yes, it is an affirmative defense.  NGBRoMIoD (I abbreviate because it's a long phrase that I don't feel like typing out) is an affirmative defense as well.<br /><br />     Crimes of passion can fall under the heading of NGBRoMDoI if someone is looking for a complete acquittal.<br /><br />     Following the laws that you cite, one would actually be using what amounts to the Provocation defense, in which the charges are lessened to manslaughter.  That would almost assuredly get me disbarred.  Generally the Florida Bar frowns on having convicted killers as a member of their organization.<br /><br />     Not to mention that the document you cited was published in 1872, and as is true in most states, the legal codes of the state of Florida have been amended in some areas and changed in others over the past 137 years, as well they should.  If our rules of law never changed, we'd never grow as a society as new ideas and technologies came into being.

Very well put.<br /><br />Kim

If you looked at the other, you would see that it's still kicking as of 2008. Maybe the legislators in your state have just been lazy over the past 137 years.<br /><br />As for the possible conviction for manslaughter, just pull the DA's chain. He might double down and not charge the lesser included. Then you just have to dodge the murder charge to get off.

Is that all? what a powder puff. Just a measley murder charge. 

Hmmmmm.....and what about tokens?<br /><br />Who do?

If that voodoo thing starts up again, I'm going to be the one who's going to use the heat of passion defense.

<br />Who do?<br />

<br /><br />You do....

I think you've probably negated that defense just by your statement.<br /><br /><br />Do what?

Not at all. Since it hadn't occurred as of yet, it'd still work out. The real problem is not allowing for that cooldown period. Killing people should always be done immediately after the triggering action.

    Well, I've seen someone sucessfully prosecuted for premeditation when it might otherwise be a crime of passion merely because they've said something like 'if x is doing y, then I'm going to kill them!' and then the victim does just the triggering event and gets killed.  Any prosecutor worth their salt can do it...<br /><br />Remind me of the babe!