If they helped him make the choice to jump, even just a little bit, are they guilty?

[DubiousComforts]

I think he was agreeing with you, and also pointing out the possibility that taunting someone who is already suicidal like that could push them over the edge into becoming homicidal as well. Just another reason not to act like an inhuman bastard in these situations. Correct. An in-law--a retired law enforcement officer and captain--recently committed suicide by jumping from an overpass into traffic. He only succeeded in killing himself, but what if his actions had killed one or more people, too? No doubt the unfortunate driver of the vehicle that hit him is scarred for life regardless. It's against the law to incite a riot, to yell "fire" in a crowded theater. How is coaxing an emotionally-unstable individual to take their life any different? How is making excuses for the irresponsible behavior of a mob any less irresponsible?

[Neil]

How is making excuses for the irresponsible behavior of a mob any less irresponsible? Well said!

[DjfunkmasterG]

Personally, I think they should be charged and arrested. They should be ashamed of themselves.

[LoSTBoY]

In the words of Bender: "Do a flip!"

[strayrider]

Although I do agree that it is "ghoulish" to shout encouragement for someone to "jump" in a situation like this, it's also to be expected. I remember an episode of "All in the Family" where Archie walked out on a window ledge to talk down a jumper while the crowd below chanted "Jump! Jump! Jump!" This was was a couple of decades ago, so the fact there there are such "hecklers" is nothing new. My point is, if you're going to "put yourself out there" in your "time of greatest need", you need to plan for this. Not everyone is going to feel compassion for you and some, obviously, are going to see this as an opportunity to witness the event of a lifetime. Should the hecklers be arrested? No, not unless they physically interfered with the police effort to get the fool off the roof. You don't suppress freedom of expression because some fool decided to share his desire to commit suicide with the general public. Should they be be pitied? Probably so. Imagine have such a miserable life that you get enjoyment watching someone else take their own. Sad. Of course, some of them might have not figured that the kid was serious about his intent and, when he did jump, were shocked by the outcome. They will carry the shame of that with them for the rest of their lives. -stray-

[darth los]

Should they be be pitied? Probably so. Imagine have such a miserable life that you get enjoyment watching someone else take their own. Sad. Of course, some of them might have not figured that the kid was serious about his intent and, when he did jump, were shocked by the outcome. They will carry the shame of that with them for the rest of their lives. -stray- Let's see. That would mean that people are dense and insensitive. Man, who'd a thunk it?

[capncnut]

Are we still talking about this silly kid?

[Tricky]

if i'd been there i would seriously have walked up to one of the chanting idiots & knocked seven shades of sh*t out of them!even saying "thats just the way things are" isnt a good enough excuse for the way they behaved

[SymphonicX]

On one hand: If there was a big ol' guy, about to fight a skinny little kid, and the crowd urged him to "FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT" - would that make the crowd responsible for the ass-whipping that poor kid would get? Nope... But on the other hand - sick bastards...they have that on their hands for a long time, I hope they feel it.

[Tricky]

On one hand: If there was a big ol' guy, about to fight a skinny little kid, and the crowd urged him to "FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT" - would that make the crowd responsible for the ass-whipping that poor kid would get? If there was a decent person among them someone in that crowd would intervene though!

[darth los]

On one hand: If there was a big ol' guy, about to fight a skinny little kid, and the crowd urged him to "FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT" - would that make the crowd responsible for the ass-whipping that poor kid would get? Nope... But on the other hand - sick bastards...they have that on their hands for a long time, I hope they feel it. No but scientific studies have proven time and again that a mob mentality contributes to and escalates situations to a level that they would not have reached otherwise.

[Neil]

No but scientific studies have proven time and again that a mob mentality contributes to and escalates situations to a level that they would not have reached otherwise. And it's called war isn't it?

[SymphonicX]

And it's called war isn't it? or football....