Law and Magic Blog

The Man Who Saw Werewolves

An Alberta (Canada) court heard the case of Matthew De Grood, who killed five young people attending a party in 2014. Mr. De Grood claims that at the time he believed the people he killed were werewolves, and his duty was to rid the world of them. Is he criminally responsible for their deaths? Or, at the time that he committed the crimes, did he suffer from a mental defect that should absolve him from responsibility? More here on the trial from the Washington Post. 

Today (May 25, 2016), the judge found Mr. De Grood not criminally responsible for the deaths (National Post). 

He will now be assessed and the authorities will make a decision concerning his treatment. More here from Global News.

Matthew De Grood's statement on his acts here, from the Calgary Sun.

Argentina's President "Adopts" Boy To Avoid Werewolf Outcome

NBC News reports that the President of Argentina has "adopted" a seventh son of an Argentinian family, in order to prevent him from becoming a werewolf. Yes, according to South American folklore, a seventh son might become a werewolf, so according to Argentinian law, another family can adopt such a child to prevent that fate. If the seventh child is a girl, she'll become a witch. More here from the Independent, here from the Smithsonian Magazine.

However, at least one Argentinian historian says there's no truth to the notion that these adoptions have anything to do with werewolfery. Daniel Balmaceda says it's an old Russian tradition, brought over to Argentina in the last century. The Czar was traditionally godfather to seventh sons, and a couple who emigrated to Argentina wanted the President of Argentina to be godfather to their seventh child in their new homeland. Sink your teeth into this article from the Guardian here.

What's interesting is that the Argentinian legislature has codified this practice,so that the president could become a godparent to these children. Until 2009, apparently only Catholic children could benefit. Now a child of any religion (or maybe no religion?) might claim the prez as a godparent, although why it might want to is unclear to me. I realize there might be perks available, but the pressure..... Yet another adult wanting to see your report card. In fact, the child in this particular example is Jewish. At any rate, this story is sort of heartwarming, and the picture of the President and the family is very nice.

Happy 2015! to those to who are celebrating the New Year,