Question

How does Paul Thompson describe Nathaniel Brazill's state of mind during the trial? Why is that relevant?

Answer 1

Paul Thompsn describes a massive loss of brain cells and therefore brain conections in those areas that are related to impulses and to self control as an event that occurs in all teenagers, and considers this loss to be the cause of many teenagers' reckless behavior and mental confusion. While Dr. Thompson does not consider this scientific finding a justification for violent actions like the shooting of a teacher by Brazill, he does prove that an adolescent's brain is not the same as an adult's and therefore the trial of Nathaniel Brazill should not be based on the same criteria as if he had planned his actions with an adult's mind and deliberation. Dr. Thompson's description resulted in his being sentenced for second-degree murder, rathen tthan for first-degree murder as he would have been, had he been an adult.