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Murder and the death penalty: a case report
1School of Criminology.
The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|July 1, 1975
Summary
The death penalty may not deter violent crime, as some individuals may commit offenses to be executed. This case report details a man who committed multiple murders to achieve a death sentence.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Criminology
- Behavioral Psychology
Background:
- Psychiatric theories suggest capital punishment might incite violent crime.
- Empirical evidence substantiating this deterrence paradox is limited in existing literature.
Observation:
- A case study is presented involving an individual with a history of multiple homicides.
- The patient actively sought execution by committing further violent acts.
Findings:
- The individual successfully fulfilled his death wish through his criminal actions.
- This case provides anecdotal support for the hypothesis that the death penalty can act as a motivator for certain individuals.
Implications:
- Highlights the complexity of capital punishment's effect on criminal behavior.
- Suggests a need for further research into the psychological motivations behind extreme criminal acts and their relation to the death penalty.