Would You Convict Eli?

[a_contemplative_life]

LOL...eventually the whole police dept becomes infected...and then--the world!!

[shaggles]

I don't see Eli as human or criminal so I wouldn't convict her. She's a vampire doing what vampires do. It would be like convicting a bear who mauls a camper. Well I guess we do do that.

[bore]

As for putting Eli in prison. This Sherlock Holmes/Let the right one in crossover has already done it.

[N.R. Gasan]

OK, this is my thread so I guess I have to chime in here. To say that Eli's circumstances are extraordinary would be the classic understatement. The fact is, once the authorities determine that Eli is a real, card-carrying vampire, anything resembling a typical trial would be out of the question, if only because the government would rightly fear panic by the general public. I remember a line from a movie made back in the 70s, THE NIGHT STALKER, which introduced the character Karl Kolchak (played by Darren McGaven): "Kolchak, have you lost your mind? Can you imagine the total blind panic this town would be in if the public were told we were actually looking for a vampire!?"

But still the question of what to do with Eli? If I were the person -- or, at least, one of the people -- responsible for deciding Eli's fate, I would not want her on the street, for obvious reasons. But I would also have to acknowledge the reasons for her actions. Eli is not a classic serial killer; she doesn't take life for pleasure or sexual satisfaction. She kills to live. And she's a child, a perpetual child, lacking in adult perspective. A savage killer who is also a true innocent. To me, for this reason alone, executing her is out of the question.

There is also the possibility of redemption for her. I would argue that studying Eli, her condition, could present a huge benefit to humanity by unlocking the secret to a vampire's immortality and regenerative abilities, and with that the potential for extending life and curing diseases. Such research might very well lead to a treatment and even a cure for Eli and those like her, a definite incentive for her to cooperate. Another incentive would be a constant supply of guilt-free blood. Add a big screen TV and an assortment of puzzles, you'd probably have a happy little vampire. Oh, wait...one more wrinkle: Oskar.

Unless they were caught together, Oskar would still be out in the world. Would Eli want him with her, knowing that they would probably not be free any time soon, maybe ever? I think it would depend totally on how Eli was treated in captivity. If she were treated well and made as comfortable as possible, I think she would consider it doing Oskar a favor by encouraging him to turn himself in. If she were treated harshly, I think she would either endure the captivity alone or even attempt suicide rather than betray Oskar. Of course, if it were up to me -- and, for the purpose of this thread, it is -- she would be treated well, Oskar would join her, and the two of them would "enjoy" captivity together, playing video games, doing puzzles, hibernating on occasion, and participating in scientists' efforts to understand what makes vampires tick. Thus society is protected from Eli and Oskar, while they help benefit society. Win-win for all (including cats).

[covenant6452]

Yes, that would be nice if they were together, but in captivity, the subjects of scientific experimentation?! How long until some scientific guy suggested an autopsy as the only method of getting what they need? That is how it always goes in films.
A prison is a prison and I would rather see them running free with bloodsmeared chins than locked up in any way, shape or form.
How could you even think of this?! Are you trying to make me sad?!

[shaggles]

OK, this is my thread so I guess I have to chime in here. To say that Eli's circumstances are extraordinary would be the classic understatement. The fact is, once the authorities determine that Eli is a real, card-carrying vampire, anything resembling a typical trial would be out of the question, if only because the government would rightly fear panic by the general public. I remember a line from a movie made back in the 70s, THE NIGHT STALKER, which introduced the character Karl Kolchak (played by Darren McGaven): "Kolchak, have you lost your mind? Can you imagine the total blind panic this town would be in if the public were told we were actually looking for a vampire!?"

HA! Thumbs up for the Night Stalker reference. That was my favourite show when I was a kid.

[God of Vampires]

No, I would not convict Eli. It would be like convicting a cat for killing mice. It's ridiculous. How can we call something evil just because it happens to be higher on the food chain than us? But then our species tends to define evil as anything that makes us sad , angry or afraid. Not to deny the existence of true evil, I'm just saying, Eli is not it.

He is simply a victim of his circumstance, a circumstance in which us humans play a rather important role. He kills because he fears being exposed. If he is exposed than we will hunt him and do god knows what else. Ergo, if we leave him alone and just give him blood when he needs it, than theoretically no one dies and everybody gets their cake. We are the ones preventing peace, but we blame the necessity of death on him.

QFT

I could not convict Eli, but I shure would defend her . If the trial goes as it should, it would be fine. Unless we humans succumb to bigotry and feelings of revenge, then the cycle of death would continue .

[shaggles]

No, I would not convict Eli. It would be like convicting a cat for killing mice. It's ridiculous. How can we call something evil just because it happens to be higher on the food chain than us? But then our species tends to define evil as anything that makes us sad , angry or afraid. Not to deny the existence of true evil, I'm just saying, Eli is not it.

He is simply a victim of his circumstance, a circumstance in which us humans play a rather important role. He kills because he fears being exposed. If he is exposed than we will hunt him and do god knows what else. Ergo, if we leave him alone and just give him blood when he needs it, than theoretically no one dies and everybody gets their cake. We are the ones preventing peace, but we blame the necessity of death on him.

I agree 100%. That's what I was trying to say but you said it better.

[TigerEyes]

No, I would not convict Eli. It would be like convicting a cat for killing mice. It's ridiculous. How can we call something evil just because it happens to be higher on the food chain than us? But then our species tends to define evil as anything that makes us sad , angry or afraid. Not to deny the existence of true evil, I'm just saying, Eli is not it.

He is simply a victim of his circumstance, a circumstance in which us humans play a rather important role. He kills because he fears being exposed. If he is exposed than we will hunt him and do god knows what else. Ergo, if we leave him alone and just give him blood when he needs it, than theoretically no one dies and everybody gets their cake. We are the ones preventing peace, but we blame the necessity of death on him.

I agree 100%. That's what I was trying to say but you said it better.

I totally agree there, even though i said "Institution," it's because i am trying to look at it from an outsider's point of view, but i personally would not want to convict Eli.

[S_Oceanus]

If she gets captured, she would likely be turned over to the government and likely be put under special protected isolation from the public. If they haven’t found others like her before (wouldn't surprise me if they have) nor knew of their existence they would study her, understand her history, her nature, behaviour etc. They may even see if they could make some use of her (potential spy, assassin etc) giving her an option: "You work for us and co-orporate with us, we'll give you blood and protect you and you won't have to worry about killing and survival anymore"

I doubt her capture would make public awareness. I don’t think the government would allow it. I'm no conspiracy theorist, I just think governments in general have this attitude of: “the public should just go along with their normal lives and ignore whatever seems unusual, we'll take care of that”.