Student's apparent suicide linked to webcast of sexual encounter

[JustMeSee]

The right to privacy is not in the Constitution. We pretend its there so people can get abortions.

It is an amendment to the Constitution. Have you heard of The Bill of Rights?

It is also New Jersey Law:

An Act concerning privacy and amending and supplementing P.L.2003, c. 206.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 1 of P.L. 2003, c. 206 (C.2C:14-9) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. An actor commits a crime of the fourth degree if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, and under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know that another may expose intimate parts or may engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact, he observes another person without that person's consent and under circumstances in which a reasonable person would not expect to be observed.
b. (1) An actor commits a crime of the third degree if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he photographs, films, videotapes, records, or otherwise reproduces in any manner by any means, including but not limited to, a camera of any type, a camcorder, video camera, camera or picture cellular phone, digital imaging device or any other photographic or imaging technology, the image of another person whose intimate parts are exposed or who is engaged in an act of sexual penetration or sexual contact, without that person's consent and under circumstances in which a reasonable person would not expect to be observed.
(2) A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if, knowing that he is not licensed orprivileged to do so, he photographs, films, videotapes, records, or otherwise reproduces in any manner and by any means, including but not limited to, a camera of any type, a camcorder, video camera, camera or picture cellular phone, digital imaging device or any other photographic or imaging technology, an image depicting the intimate parts of another person under, beneath or through the person's clothing.
c. (1) An actor commits a crime of the third degree if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he discloses any photograph, film, videotape, recording or any other reproduction of the image of another person whose intimate parts are exposed or who is engaged in an act of sexual penetration or sexual contact, unless that person has consented to such disclosure.

A1657

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It is a shame that the young man took his own life. It was a difficult time in his life, but he could have sought support. I remember how difficult it was to problem solve at that age.

 

[Glass*Soul]

From what I heard it was a same-sex encounter. I think there is a new way for Christians to follow the Biblical commandment on treatment of homosexuals (and since they aren't actually doing the killing, doesn't violate the New Testament modifications to those rules).

I don't understand. Is this tongue-in-cheek? (I'm notoriously dense at recognizing a tongue-in-cheek comment.) If not, would you explain your reply a little more?

 

[Yu_Jin]

His promising future was ruined all because of one video. Darn those who did it.

 

[armyman_83]

No one pushed him. Just saying.

 

[Glass*Soul]

No one pushed him. Just saying.

I believe that Paul, in II Corinthians, spoke out against punishing a brother until he is "overwhelmed by excessive sorrow" even though he felt the brother in question was in the wrong in his sexual conduct. If this is true in regard to the solemn business of church discipline, how much more so in something so frivolous as posting a video?

I will post the entire passage. I have often been told that as a non-theist I have no business approaching the scriptures and have no understanding of them when I do, but it seems to me that Paul expressed the sort of compassion here that takes responsibility for the results of one's actions on a brother's state of mind. He seemed to take it seriously enough to term a misstep on this matter as actually playing into Satan's hands.

So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

My disillusionment with Christianity is almost complete. Yet there is still a small place in me that hurts to see Christians being so hardhearted while displaying the symbols of their faith.

 

[Skaloop]

No one pushed him. Just saying.

Yeah, that makes it all OK.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

No one pushed him. Just saying.

Maybe they didn't physically push him, but they pushed him nonetheless.

I'm sure there were other issues that contributed to this, but the video seems to have been the final straw.

I grieve with his family and friends.

 

[armyman_83]

I am just making a point.

Its an individuals choice to take their own life. I never said that what those people did was right or wrong.

As a grown up, you have to see past the little things. Use reason, and wisdom. This guy couldn't take it. I am sorry he took his life. But HE took HIS life. No one held a gun to his head. Taking your own life should be held as a cowardly act in most cases. That is just my opinion. Should the other people be punished? If they broke any law that violates privacy rights then yes. But to blame them for his "suicide"--no way.

Suicide:
a : the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind.
--Webster's

 

[laconicstudent]

I am just making a point.

Its an individuals choice to take their own life. I never said that what those people did was right or wrong.

As a grown up, you have to see past the little things. Use reason, and wisdom. This guy couldn't take it. I am sorry he took his life. But HE took HIS life. No one held a gun to his head. Taking your own life should be held as a cowardly act in most cases. That is just my opinion. Should the other people be punished? If they broke any law that violates privacy rights then yes. But to blame them for his "suicide"--no way.

Suicide:
a : the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind.
--Webster's

Wow.

 

[Glass*Soul]

I am just making a point.

Its an individuals choice to take their own life. I never said that what those people did was right or wrong.

As a grown up, you have to see past the little things. Use reason, and wisdom. This guy couldn't take it. I am sorry he took his life. But HE took HIS life. No one held a gun to his head. Taking your own life should be held as a cowardly act in most cases. That is just my opinion. Should the other people be punished? If they broke any law that violates privacy rights then yes. But to blame them for his "suicide"--no way.

Suicide:
a : the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind.
--Webster's

He was all of 18. No one hands you a pail full of wisdom when you turn 18.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

Suicide:
a : the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind.
--Webster's

How can a suicidal person,be a person of sound mind.

 

[moonkitty]

How can a suicidal person,be a person of sound mind.

That was what I was thinking.

 

[EdwinWillers]

Student's apparent suicide linked to webcast of sexual encounter - CNN.com

This stupid act caused a person to take his life.
I don't care what the two consenting people are doing,
broadcasting it is wrong.

I hope these students are punished severely. Consequences for their actions. Yes, Christians can support punishment, and not be against Gods word. Everything has consequences, and even Gods followers have to face these.
If there is nothing more then charges they have, I hope the family sues them for money they will earn in the future.

Note to self... privacy is becoming less and less possible, and life is becoming less and less private.

 

[EdwinWillers]

He was all of 18. No one hands you a pail full of wisdom when you turn 18.

Perhaps not, but they let you pull a lever and vote at 18 - which is probably why the POTUS is running around the country right now with pails full of his own what-not, reaching out to such kids.

Anyway - it's a tragic situation and the two other empty pails ought to be punished in some fashion.

 

[mylife4his]

Sin will find out. Suicide is never the answer. But the guy who recorded this, was sick as well, to even put it up. I don't know what people are thinking now days. What did he think was going to happen? That's just pathetic, all of it!

 

[mylife4his]

Note to self... privacy is becoming less and less possible, and life is becoming less and less private.

There is no privacy, even if you have just two people living in the same house. Thanks to Facebook, there is no privacy. Also to phones that have internet and pictures. Just Hope Your At best performance all the time, if not, people will find out. Hope you didn't care, because the whole world knows!

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I am just making a point.

Its an individuals choice to take their own life. I never said that what those people did was right or wrong.

As a grown up, you have to see past the little things. Use reason, and wisdom. This guy couldn't take it. I am sorry he took his life. But HE took HIS life. No one held a gun to his head. Taking your own life should be held as a cowardly act in most cases. That is just my opinion. Should the other people be punished? If they broke any law that violates privacy rights then yes. But to blame them for his "suicide"--no way.

Suicide:
a : the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind.
--Webster's

You've obviously have not had anyone close to you commit suicide. It's easy to say things like that, and it's easy to believe them, until someone you loved does it.

Yes, people do actively decide to take their own life, but it's rarely some cut and dry issue where they could've decided easily to go the other route. Some don't actively decide...they have mental issues that cause them to kill themselves. I have two quite crazy cousins who would probably kill themselves because the voices told them to, if they were not locked up and under heavy medication.

Point is, you can't know what was in this kid's mind. I don't think it's fair to say that the other kids caused him to kill himself, but I certainly think it's fair to say that the video probably had a hand in helping him along.

 

[Billnew]

I

My disillusionment with Christianity is almost complete. Yet there is still a small place in me that hurts to see Christians being so hardhearted while displaying the symbols of their faith.

Truly sad that followers of Christ see anything more then sadness in this story.

Maybe they didn't physically push him, but they pushed him nonetheless.

I'm sure there were other issues that contributed to this, but the video seems to have been the final straw.

I grieve with his family and friends.

I believe he tormented himself with what ifs and possibilities, this was just the breaking of the dam, and once loose, the emotions/fears destroyed him.

I am just making a point.

Its an individuals choice to take their own life. I never said that what those people did was right or wrong.

As a grown up, you have to see past the little things. Use reason, and wisdom. This guy couldn't take it. I am sorry he took his life. But HE took HIS life. No one held a gun to his head. Taking your own life should be held as a cowardly act in most cases. That is just my opinion. Should the other people be punished? If they broke any law that violates privacy rights then yes. But to blame them for his "suicide"--no way.

Suicide:
a : the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind.
--Webster's

While legally an adult, 18 is far from being truly mature. When tortured, people can see suicide as the only option. While I do not believe anyone directly tortured him, he might have been torturing himself for so long.
The people that posted this video showed the most intimate private moments of this persons life. I must ask you, if people saw a video of you, and they laughed when you when you walked in the little world of campus, would you act properly?
My first thought was to transfer, but where can a person go that this, (video online) won't have been seen?

 

[Phylogeny]

This kid was obviously depressed prior to the intrusive webcam. I doubt the two perps intended on driving him to suicide. It was poor judgement, rather than malicious intent that they should be punished for.

That said, let's not belittle the victim's 'choice' to kill himself----b/c that's like saying depressed people 'choose' to be sad and only need to 'cheer up' to get better. That's like saying schizophrenic patients just need to stop pretending voices in their head and they'll be better. Today, people can talk about their most intimate illness: cancer, heart disease....many of which have some environmental (i.e 'choice-based) factors, yet when someone says they have congestive heart failure, we don't tell them it's their choice. Mental illness IS like these other diseases. No one chooses to be depressed, no one wants to be driven to kill themselves. This kid, who was probably tormented by his homosexuality, was probably tipped over by this final act of disparagement. Was it the fault of the perps? No. Was it his 'fault' and his 'choice'? No more than it's anyone's fault to have cancer.

 

[armyman_83]

While legally an adult, 18 is far from being truly mature. When tortured, people can see suicide as the only option. While I do not believe anyone directly tortured him, he might have been torturing himself for so long.
The people that posted this video showed the most intimate private moments of this persons life. I must ask you, if people saw a video of you, and they laughed when you when you walked in the little world of campus, would you act properly?
My first thought was to transfer, but where can a person go that this, (video online) won't have been seen?

I agree that it would be horrible to have a very embrassing moment caught on camera of me. Would I act properly? I would hope so. I would imagine so. Can I say for sure--of course not.

As to him being 18, well--if he is legally recognized as an adult (of sound mind), and can vote then I think he should be held accountable for any act of suicide.


Sound Mind--
"That state of a man's mind which is adequate to reason and comes to a judgment upon ordinary subjects, like other rational men.

The law presumes that every person who has acquired his full age is of sound mind, and consequently competent to make contracts and perform all his civil duties; and he who asserts to the contrary must prove the affirmation of his position by explicit evidence, and not by conjectural proof."--'Lectric Law Library'