Bipolar Made Me Do It: Grope
Have you ever noticed that the word "grope" rarely appears unless it's in a newspaper? In this case, Mass. state Sen. J. James Marzilli Jr. has been accused in four separate incidents--and wouldn't you know, his lawyer now says the senator has bipolar disorder. But his lawyer will face some stiff arguments if he plans to use it as a legal defense, according to the Boston Globe:
Wendy Murphy, a lawyer representing an Arlington woman who told authorities she was groped by Marzilli in a separate case, said any medical condition is no excuse for the alleged criminal actions."A lot of people have bipolar disorder, and they don't hurt others," said Murphy. "And they certainly don't assault women in a sexual way, especially in such a prolific sexual way in the course of several years. If he thinks that's somehow justification for his behavior, he's wrong."
You tell 'em, Wendy.
Marzilli has bipolar disorder, lawyer says
Mass. state senator indicted for sexual harassment
Comments
This cracked me up! Every time I do something my wife thinks is out of line I say "I can't help it, I'm bipolar". To which she either laughs or rolls her eyes or tells me to come up with a better excuse!
Posted by: scott | July 21, 2008 12:48 PM
Sorry about my earlier post. I would not have done it had I not been bipolar.
Posted by: scott | July 21, 2008 04:16 PM
This is stupid beyond belief. I frequently use being mental, I have bipolar, as a jokey excuse but never for something that is serious. For the most part I believe you have to take responsibility for yourself, if you are manic this is exceptionally difficult to do - after all you are without doubt "not ill", but in moments of lucidity you need to be accountable for your actions.
Posted by: Exactscience | July 21, 2008 05:24 PM
I really enjoy reading your blog. It's my daily dose of giggle.
Posted by: Erin | July 22, 2008 09:55 AM
I don't know anything about this case other than what I read in the local papers, but by many reports this was a decent guy with a long record of public service who suddenly started acting erratically. It's of course true that most people with bipolar disorder don't behave this way, but I don't think that rules out some medical issue in this case.
Posted by: alkali | July 27, 2008 03:45 PM