<p>I hesitate to declare anyone a “bad person”. I can surely condemn the behaviors but I’m not going to condemn the person as an individual. In the case of a psychotic, it is obvious that the person doesn’t know what they are doing-ie. thinking their wife is a space alien. In the case of a person with other, less severe mental disease, it is a lot harder to distinguish where their culpability starts and ends. </p>
<p>I also believe in something called redemption- a person who has done terrible things can make a change and come around to doing good. It takes a lot of work on their part, and usually a lot of professional help. So- in the Mel story, I hope that he at some point in his life will make the necessary changes to do good. The evil that he has done, however, has far reaching consequences for himself and the others he has harmed.</p>
<p>I agree that Mel has probably gotten away with a lot because of his looks, talent and money. (As, by the way, did OJ). </p>
<p>No, I wouldn’t call the mean girl in the example mentally ill. Nor would I call her a bad person. I would condemn the act, but not the person.</p>