Loco Parentis Analysis

In Loco Parentis is a Latin term used to describe the rights, duties and obligations of a parent taken on by someone who assumes parental status and responsibilities. This term is rightly used in court against Robert Telford the father of John Telford who committed the murder of Chris Skinner. It is beyond a reasonable doubt that without the father Robert, his son John would not have had the physical and mental equipment to commit this crime.

Robert willingly and knowingly enabled his son to buy physical weapons that he used against Chris. These weapons, such as the Kama, are illegal in the state of New York. They were ordered from the father Robert’s credit card and delivered to Robert’s brother in Virginia. Robert went out of his way to pick

They called this room their practice room. Inside the storage room were multiple extremely violent weapons that were within arm’s reach. To add to the weapons Robert put a manikin in the room that he had brought home from his work for his son to practice on. This manikin was butchered from continuous abuse forced upon it by John and his weapons. This is evidence that John began physically releasing his emotions and feelings in a malicious manner. It was only a matter of time before Johns practice skills became used in real life and the manikin turned into an actual

It has been made clear that Robert played a very influential role in the murder against Chris Skinner. Firstly, Robert made sure to provide John with weapons knowing that the weapons were illegal. Secondly, Robert allowed his son to play violent video games that influenced John’s behavior. Thirdly, Robert provided a practice space and practice dummy for John to use. This encouraged the use of the weapons and violent behavior. Fourthly, the father helped develop the violent characteristics he bestowed upon John. Without a doubt, the father is just as much at fault for this crime as John. The father showed poor commitment to parenting and a lack of responsibility. Robert did not fulfil the obligations of a father and the son fell short because of it. Due to Robert’s actions and failure to achieve the basic obligations as a father he should be charged and partially to blame for this