But to drive our fellow-creatures into disgrace and crime beyond redemption, and then to hate them or to hang them; is that just?
To loathe and punish the victims of society, and never lift a hand against the wrongs that are their ruin, is that reasonable?
I ask for a verdict in the prisoner's favour; but I cannot ask that he be set at liberty. We could not liberate a smallpox patient nor a lunatic.
Although the prisoner ought not to be punished, it is imperative that he be restrained.
Being what he is: being what society has made him, he is not fit to be at large.
We must defend ourselves against him. We must protect our children from him, even although we have failed to protect other children against society.
I ask the jury for a verdict in the prisoner's favour. I leave the prisoner to their justice and to their reason. That is my case.