Turcotte goes for bike rides alone
The Journal says Guy Turcotte goes for solitary, unsupervised bike rides in Pointe-aux-Trembles, always returning to the Pinel Institute where he’s currently living – so far.
On the one hand, the man was not judged a danger to the public, and it would not be easy for him to run away. On the other, there might still be a risk of suicide. But the underlying motive for this story is probably more to appeal to people who think Turcotte ought to be in jail, treated as a convict and not as a psych patient. Because it’s quite reasonable to allow a recovering psych patient some outdoor exercise, right?
Tux 12:47 on 2012/09/25 Permalink
Whether in prison or set free, I’d wager that Mr. Turcotte will spend the rest of his life in a hell of his own making. That’s punishment enough for me. Like Vince Li he will never be able to escape what he’s done.
david m 15:58 on 2012/09/25 Permalink
well, he’s a trained medical physician, he could easily just move down to the usa or to europe (or really anywhere that he could see his degree recognized), sit their exams and begin again as a doctor. sure, he’ll have some regrets, but i’m guessing that time and activity can dull that particular blade, maybe he’ll marry again. you know, he could even change his name and lie about where he’s from (say that he’s portuguese or french). no, this guy belongs behind bars.
Kate 21:27 on 2012/09/25 Permalink
So you think all his medical training ought to be thrown away, just put him in a cell, get him to make license plates or whatever they do in there?
I’m not sure what I think. If he’s capable of working again as a cardiologist, why not? Is everything he does from now on tainted? I can see why people might feel that way, but it does seem a waste of talent, effort and financial investment in his skills.
Kevin 07:12 on 2012/09/26 Permalink
Guy Turcotte is Quebec’s OJ. Too many people question the verdict.
Dave M 10:53 on 2012/09/26 Permalink
Perhaps they should his skills as the prison’s doctor.
Kate 12:26 on 2012/09/26 Permalink
I was thinking it might make for an interesting movie setup, highly trained doc arrives in jail, can’t help himself making diagnoses, giving first aid, not sure where I’m going with this but you can see various ways it might work out. Corny version has him saving the prison warden’s life in some way.
Kevin 12:06 on 2012/09/27 Permalink
Season 6 of House the cranky doctor was a patient in the psych ward. Season 8 began with him as a convict ;)