Peter kiling Cedric (Was: JKR's "small thing" in CoS)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 94953

justcarol67
> Has anyone besides me noticed that both Dumbledore and Harry 
> alwasys say that Voldemort murdered Cedric? Technically, this 
> statement is not quite true. Voldemort, a baby-shaped monster 
> wrapped in a cloak, gave the order, but Wormtail pointed the wand 
> and spoke the words that actually killed him. In other words, he 
> committed murder, orders or no orders. Yet it's as if, in DD's and 
> Harry's view, Wormtail is only an instrument like the wand
> and bears no share of the blame. 
> 
> I understand all this, but I'm still bothered by it. In a (Muggle)
> court of law, I suppose, both LV and Wormtail would be guilty, but
> still: Voldemort murdered Cedric is a half-truth. Wormtail murdered
> Cedric under Voldemort's orders is the full truth. Is anyone besides
> me bothered by this? or can you "sort it out" for me so I find it 
> less disturbing? Anybody?


Siriusly Snapey Susan:
Calling Voldemort Cedric's murderer doesn't bother me in the 
slightest.   

To explain why I feel this way, think of the famous American case of 
Charles Manson.  According to the testimony of his followers, Charlie 
actually committed *none* of the murders; he did, however, tell his 
followers to commit them.  They, of course, did not have to abide by 
his command, but they did [which is why they, too, are guilty], and 
by extention then, Charlie *is* a murderer.  In both cases--Manson & 
Voldy--it was a deliberate, willful decision to ask/order/command 
[choose your term] that someone else be killed.  Even if the orderer 
didn't pull the trigger, wield the knife, or wave the wand, he is 
just as guilty as the one who did.  [IMHO, of course.]  It's just 
like a man who hires a hit-man to kill an enemy.  BOTH men are guilty 
of the murder.  Or the guy who drives the get-away car for a bank 
robber.  BOTH are guilty of the crime.

As for why DD & Harry don't talk about Wormtail as "the" or "a" 
murderer, I don't know.  Perhaps Harry & DD do not blame Wormtail as 
much as Voldy because they saw him as being in a position where he 
had little choice.  [RW] Legally speaking, and this mirrors my 
personal belief, he **could** have been brave & said no to Voldy, 
just as Manson's followers could have said no, but I understand that 
many people would see Wormtail's hands as being tied in the matter. 
Regardless, I absolutely *do* understand why Harry & DD call 
Voldemort the murderer.  

Siriusly Snapey Susan