initial post 1.5 pages response 200 words Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your re

20200309170706week_1___discussion2 20200309170716killer_bios1 20200309170800week_1_announcement1

initial post 1.5 pages

response 200 words

Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Choose Your Client [WLOs: 3, 4] [CLOs: 2, 3, 4]

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read the article, “

Sentencing Advocates Enhance Reasoned Court Decisions

,” then read the list of infamous murderers whose high profile crimes dominated headlines for many years. Choose one of these individuals to become your client for the remainder of the course. That is, this individual and case will be the topic of your final assignment in the course:

In your online classroom, select the link “

Killer Bios

” for a list of these infamous murderers. In that link, you will find several Ashford University Library sources on each murderer. In addition, there are some starter links listed below under each name.

Imagine that you have been retained by the client’s defense attorney as a death penalty mitigation expert. Your role in this capacity is to work as a sentencing advocate on behalf of your client (the defendant). In Week 5, you will prepare a comprehensive case study report. This report will contain an analysis of the psychological factors that may have contributed to the commission of the crimes in the chosen case study and how these psychological factors should be considered as a basis for a prison sentence less than the death penalty. For the purpose of this discussion, we are proceeding as if the client is still alive and has not yet been sentenced (though all of these cases have already been resolved). In your initial post of 300 words, please examine the following and address the questions below:

Tell us which client you chose and why. That is, what was it about the case that interested you?
Based upon your preliminary research on this case/client and your assigned textbook readings, what mental disorders might your client be suffering from that may have contributed to the crime?
Describe the disorder including its signs and symptoms. Connect those that you believe apply to your client’s behavior.
What does your textbook say about the likelihood that your client’s mental states contributed to the crime?
Discuss whether psychopathy, insanity, or competence to stand trial are potential issues in your client’s case based upon your preliminary research of the case and your assigned textbook readings.
Support your claims with examples from the required materials, other scholarly and/or credible sources, and properly cite any references.

Guided Response: Review several of your peers’ initial posts and, in a minimum of 100 words each, respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7. As you read through your peers’ posts, please respond to at least two of your classmates who chose a different “client” than you chose. Be sure to provide constructive feedback, and ask follow-up questions to your peers regarding their client and case. That is, focus on what your classmates write about their clients’ biopsychosocial histories. Is this similar to your client’s history? Suggest at least one additional source to your classmates that may be helpful to them in investigating the relationship between the client’s history and the crime. Respond in a substantive manner with specific examples to extend their thinking. Support your claims with examples from the required materials and/or other scholarly or credible sources, and properly cite any references. You are encouraged to post your required replies earlier in the week to promote more meaningful and interactive discourse in this discussion forum. Continue to monitor the discussion forum until 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Day 7, and respond with robust dialogue to anyone who replies to your initial post.

Hello! Yes sir.. I chose Ted Bundy. I am sending you to links that you may need. I added the Week1 Announcement with the choices she gave us.

https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/ted-bundy

http://murderpedia.org/male.B/b1/bundy-ted.htm



This is a graded discussion: 5 points possible due Mar 6 at 1:59am

Week 1 – Discussion 18 18

Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both
the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance
on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Choose Your Client [WLOs: 3, 4] [CLOs: 2, 3, 4]

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read the article, “Sentencing Advocates Enhance Reasoned Court Decisions,” then read the list of
infamous murderers whose high profile crimes dominated headlines for many years. Choose one of these individuals to become your client for the
remainder of the course. That is, this individual and case will be the topic of your final assignment in the course:

In your online classroom, select the link “Killer Bios” for a list of these infamous murderers. In that link, you will find several Ashford University Library
sources on each murderer. In addition, there are some starter links listed below under each name.

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Imagine that you have been retained by the client’s defense attorney as a death penalty mitigation expert. Your role in this capacity is to work as a
sentencing advocate on behalf of your client (the defendant). In Week 5, you will prepare a comprehensive case study report. This report will contain an
analysis of the psychological factors that may have contributed to the commission of the crimes in the chosen case study and how these psychological
factors should be considered as a basis for a prison sentence less than the death penalty. For the purpose of this discussion, we are proceeding as if the
client is still alive and has not yet been sentenced (though all of these cases have already been resolved). In your initial post of 300 words, please
examine the following and address the questions below:

•

Tell us which client you chose and why. That is, what was it about the case that interested you?

• Based upon your preliminary research on this case/client and your assigned textbook readings, what mental disorders might your client be suffering

from that may have contributed to the crime?
•

Describe the disorder including its signs and symptoms. Connect those that you believe apply to your client’s behavior.

•

What does your textbook say about the likelihood that your client’s mental states contributed to the crime?

• Discuss whether psychopathy, insanity, or competence to stand trial are potential issues in your client’s case based upon your preliminary research of

the case and your assigned textbook readings.
• Support your claims with examples from the required materials, other scholarly and/or credible sources, and properly cite any references.

Search entries or author

 Reply

about their clients’ biopsychosocial histories. Is this similar to your client’s history? Suggest at least one additional source to your classmates that may be
helpful to them in investigating the relationship between the client’s history and the crime. Respond in a substantive manner with specific examples to
extend their thinking. Support your claims with examples from the required materials and/or other scholarly or credible sources, and properly cite any
references. You are encouraged to post your required replies earlier in the week to promote more meaningful and interactive discourse in this discussion
forum. Continue to monitor the discussion forum until 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Day 7, and respond with robust dialogue to anyone who replies to
your initial post.

Unread    Subscribe

(https:// Zyon Manning (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/73482)
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For this discussion, I chose Aileen Wuornos. I picked her because of the many challenges that she faced as soon as she was born. She never
met her father, was abandoned by her mother, was raped by a friend of her grandparents, and was allegedly beaten by her grandfather (Blanco,
n.d.) Psychological disorders that may have contributed to the crime are schizophrenia, which was a believed diagnosis from her father, and anti-
social personality behavior, which stems from a consistent pattern of adverse reactions that remained from adolescence through adult life (DeLisi,
Schwartz, & Klein, 2019). Signs and symptoms of schizophrenia that are associated with my client are persecutory delusions and disorganized
speech. A persecutory delusion stems from an unfounded belief that people are intentionally trying to hurt the individual (DeLisi, Schwartz, & Klein,
2019). Due to Aileen’s past of rape and sexual abuse, any actions from the victims could trigger traumatic experiences from the
past. Disorganized speech, which is also referred to as loose associations, comes from unorganized expressions that are commonly bewildering
(DeLisi, Schwartz, & Klein, 2019). Aileen’s last words were, “I’d like to say I’m sailing with the rock, and I’ll be back like Independence Day, with
Jesus June 6. Like the movie, big mothership and all, I’ll be back.” (Blanco, n.d.). Disorganized speech is generally associated with disorderly
thoughts (DeLisi, Schwartz, & Klein, 2019).

The textbook states that people dealing with a disorder involving psychosis have a higher probability of committing a crime when they are
hallucinating, delusional, or experiencing a loss of reality. Severely mentally ill individuals have a higher probability of committing a violent crime
when experiencing a psychotic episode (DeLisi, Schwartz, & Klein, 2019). Competence to stand trial is a potential issue in Wuornos’
case because psychotic individuals are said to lack the cognitive understanding to determine right from wrong due
to their psychiatric disorder (DeLisi, Schwartz, & Klein, 2019). However, if Aileen proves competent and still committed the crimes, then this aspect
contradicts the notion that her mental state contributed to her actions.

References

Blanco, J.I. (n.d.). Aileen Wuornos. Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers. Retrieved from http://murderpedia.org/female.W/w/wuornos-
aileen.htm (http://murderpedia.org/female.W/w/wuornos-aileen.htm)

(https:/ Coletta Irby (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/113412)
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Hello Zyon.

Aileen is a very interesting type of serial killer. I find myself very invested in learning a lot about serial killers. I want to know all about their past and try
to understand how a person can go through a rough time and just snap. I have watched many of documentaries on a lot of the murderers that are on
this list that we had to choose from. It was actually hard for me to choose a person that I did not know much about which is why I chose Susan Smith. I
feel that you diagnosed her perfectly. Her childhood was horrible and it did not get much better as she grew from an adolescence into her adult life. My
big question is despite the constant abuse what triggers a person to believe that what they are doing, (committing murder), is justifiable? With
schizophrenia and delusions it would be safe to say that her psychoses state took over and she had flashbacks on the pain she went through as a child
and being an unstable adult she reacted with instant violent gratification to “numb” the mental pain she was going through at that moment.
Unfortunately for the male victims this resulted in their death.

(https:/ Bryan Graham (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/229953)
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Hello Zyon,

I must say that schizophrenia is one of the more severe disorders when it comes to the mental health of a person. I can only imagine the dangers that
accompany this disorder when the individual does not receive the proper treatment for it. After reading your entry, it definitely sounds like your client
had some aggravating factors associated with her disorder. Her last words were also a testament to the severity of her mental disorder. Normally,
there is some type of plain language used to deliver a final message to friends and family, but not in her case. I am curious to know more about her
and her trial.

Bryan

(https:/ Tamara Schnepel (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/4173)
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Nice job: Aileen is very interesting as her childhood led to a lot of her adulthood behaviors. Sometimes, I wonder if her attorney shouldn’t have argued
her childhood more and how her early life led to who she became. I have a feeling if he would have, she may have been spared the death penalty, but
still received life. One thing that I want you to keep in mind as you are working on this paper, is did PTSD have anything to do with her killing decisions
– focus on the first man she killed and his criminal history. This is another area I believe her attorney failed. If you get a chance, go on YouTube and
watch her last interview – it is very interesting. Good job.

tamara

(https:// Coletta Irby (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/113412)
Wednesday

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Hello Classmates and Professor.

Tell us which client you chose and why. That is, what was it about the case that interested you?

For this dicussion I chose Susan Smith. I picked her because I could not imagine how a women could murder her children in order to keep a
relationship with a man.

Based upon your preliminary research on this case/client and your assigned textbook readings, what mental disorders might your client
be suffering from that may have contributed to the crime?

Susan Smith suffered from antisocial personality disorder. According to DeLisi, M., Schwartz, S., & Klein, E. (2019 Ch. 2.4), ” antisocial
d=personality disorder is the most common mental illness diagnosis of people who commit crimes.” Since Susan used manipulation to make up a
story for the police and had a lack of empathy towards her children’s murder she committed she showed traits of antisocial personality disorder and
psychopathy or sociopath.

Describe the disorder including its signs and symptoms. Connect those that you believe apply to your client’s behavior.

Susan did have a very rough childhood. She was molested by her step dad. Her real father committed suicide after her mom and dad got a divorce.
She was in and out of violent relationships. When she got with a wealthy man who really treated her good but did not want kids, something snapped
in her and she decided to drown her children and tell the police that an African American man carjacked her car with the kids in there. This is
manipulation. The lack of empathy comes in when she really didn’t care that her children were dead. She just wanted them out of the way in order to
be a man who didn’t want kids. There was no remorse and Susan told police 9 days later that she was in fact the one who pushed the car into the
water with her children strapped into it.

What does your textbook say about the likelihood that your client’s mental states contributed to the crime?

The textbook states that individuals who exhibit these traits are referred to as psychopaths, or sociopaths who use manipulation to get what they
want, they have a lack of empathy for feelings of others, they have shallow emotional responses, extraordinary high levels of self esteem, and

 Reply

pathologically lye with superficial charm. (DeLisi, Schwartz, & Klein, 2019). The traits that Susan showed was able to convict her to a 30 Year
sentence for the crime of murder. (Susan Smith Biography, 2019).

References

DeLisi, M., Schwartz, S., & Klein, E. (2019). Criminal psychology (2nd ed.). Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu
(https://content.ashford.edu)

Biography, (2019). Susan Smith Biography. Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/susan-smith

(https://content.ashford.edu)

(https:/ Zyon Manning (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/73482)
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Hi Coletta,

Susan Smith’s case is disturbing to me for two reasons. One reason is that I’m a parent of two children and couldn’t imagine anyone
performing such a terrible crime. Another reason is that I’m an African American, and it’s sad when someone attempts to benefit from profiling a race
that supports negative perspectives. I agree with your assessment that she has an anti-social personality disorder as she reveals apparent negligence
for the rights of others. To be diagnosed with APD, an individual must possess specific criteria presented by the DSM-5 (DeLisi, Schwartz, & Klein,
2019). Three conditions that I believe fit Susan’s personality are extreme impulsiveness, reckless disregard, and lack of empathy. To assist with your
client’s history and the crime, you could investigate the link between psychopathy and criminal behavior. Psychopathic traits contribute to
more violence than individuals who do not possess these attributes (Swogger et al., 2012).

References

Swogger, M. T., Walsh, Z., Homaifar, B. Y., Caine, E. D., & Conner, K. R. (2012). Predicting self- and other-directed violence among discharged
psychiatric patients: The roles of anger and psychopathic traits. Psychological Medicine, 42, 371–379.

(https:/ Tamara Schnepel (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/4173)
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Nice job: Susan Smith is very interesting. It is amazing that a mom can do this to her own children and then make it seem that someone else did the
crime. Look at what would possibly cause her to try and blame someone else. Also, do a comparison with Diane Downs; she shot her children trying
to kill them because of a man. Look at how they are similar and different; look at how their attorney’s presented their cases – what worked in both
cases that would make the outcome for Susan better in the end. You have already dug into her childhood – look at the possibility if her childhood would
have been different would that have changed the outcome for Susan? Just some ideas. Good job.

tamara

(https:// Leasha Richards (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/223130)
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Week 1 discussion

I chose Aileen Wuornos because was a woman serial killer and I was interested to find out what would make her do such horrific things. It’s not very
often you hear about a woman serial killer due to the fact the women are known for being nurtures and givers of life and not takers of life. I was
curious to know who or what could have inflicted such pain and hurt upon her that she would want to project that on to others.

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After doing some research on the connection between metal disorders and crime, I have concluded that Aileen seem to have suffered from
Antisocial Personality Disorder, PTSD and Major depressive disorder. Due to Aileen having such a traumatic childhood of being raped and abused
at an early age. She left home at 15 years of age and started living on the streets. Aileen became a prostitute because with little education she
might have adapted the mindset of doing what she must in order to survive. I truly think that Aileen wanted a better life for herself but she started
out so young on the wrong foot in life that it become normal to her to live the way she was living. It appears that she was attacked while prostituting
and that event caused her to started robing and killing in order for her to survive. It seems like this was her justification for the reasons why she did
what she did and continued to do so.

Antisocial Personality disorder is said to be the most common mental illness diagnosis of individuals who commit crimes. This would be fitting
considering how frantic her early childhood life experience were. This diagnosis is a pervasive pattern of blatant disregard for the rights of others
that becomes evident in adolescence and continues throughout the adult life span. PTSD PTSD may occur as a trauma response to a significantly
traumatizing event, Aileen’s father committed suicide in jail when she was only 2 years old and she was constantly being sexually abused at home.
So this can trigger PTSD. Major depressive disorder can develop from a pro long period of time of going through trauma and great financial strain
and self esteem issues in life. Sign of depression can verify from low self confidence, to over sleeping to promiscuous behavior such as
prostitution.

There is a strong possibility that her mental illness did contribute to the crimes that she committed. Her financial situation caused great major
depression and that lead her to make irrational decisions along with struggling with PTSD from being raped and abused by different men. This
could have been linked to her being withdrawn from society and developed trust issues. It’s one judge domino effect on her life leading to a stream
of decisions that caused a downward spiral in her life.

I would say that insanity would be a potential issue due to the fact that she plead guilty to all of the charges and she believed that some of them
deserved what they got. She didn’t show remorse for some of them because she said it was in self defense in some instances and in others she was
just robing them to get money to sustain herself. She knew what she was doing so the insanity plea would not go well for her.

Resources

DeLisi, M., Schwartz, S., & Klein, E. (2019). Criminal psychology (2nd ed.). Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu
(https://content.ashford.edu/)

Patrick, S., & Miller, J. (2009). Sentencing Advocates Enhance Reasoned Court Decisions. Criminal Justice, 24(2), 30-36. Retrieved from

(https:/ Bryan Graham (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/229953)
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Hello Leasha,

I think I share your interest when it comes to women serial killers as most women are expected to be more kind and caring. Especially as it pertains to
gender related attributes and characteristics. However, as we can see, even the most kind hearted individual can turn into a cold blooded killer if
placed in the right environment. With her history of rape and abuse, it is no surprise that she survived by somewhat numbing her senses a bit. It
seems as though this “numbing” method went a little deeper than just the physical plane, but also to the mental plane, resulting in her committing some
of the crimes she did. Maybe her insanity came as a by-product of distancing herself from the outside world and she forgot the basic rights and wrongs
and also forgot how to practice the golden rule of treating people how you would like to be treated. She did have a lot of factors and the lack of
remorse shows just how far gone she was towards the end.

Bryan
(https:/ Tamara Schnepel (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/4173)
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Nice job: Aileen is very interesting. One thing that I will encourage you to do is to watch her last interview video on YouTube. This will give you some
more information on her that comes from her own mouth. Also, there is a current documentary out on her (I wish I could remember the name of it) that
deals with letters to her childhood friend – this may help you also. Also, think about if her childhood would have been different would her adult
behaviors been different? This is not as easy of an answer as it seems. Also, look at the idea of PTSD – with this I am encouraging you to look at the
first man she killed, the reason she stated she killed him, and then look at his criminal record. Could she have had a legitimate defense here? You did
a good job on this and I hope these suggestions help.

tamara

(https:// Bryan Graham (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/229953)
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Tell us which client you chose and why. That is, what was it about the case that interested you?
I read numerous bios on the list of individuals prior to picking one as my client for the remainder of this course and I have decided to settle on
Timothy McVeigh. I picked this individual due to his experience in the military and wanted to examine the impact that wartime combat had on his
mental psyche.
Based upon your preliminary research on this case/client and your assigned textbook readings, what mental disorders might your client be suffering
from that may have contributed to the crime?
I believe Timothy McVeigh had an Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD). According to DeLisi,M., Schwartz, S., & Klein, E. (2019) “is hallmarked by a
pervasive pattern of blatant disregard for the fights of others that becomes evident in adolescence and continues throughout the adult life span”. I
believe this to be true due to Timothy McVeigh’s lack of remorse for the deaths resulting from his bombing in Oklahoma City. There was a daycare
on the second floor of the building he bombed and when informed of the children he killed, he simply shrugged it off and labeled their deaths as
collateral damage.
I believe Timothy McVeigh also had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to DeLisi,M., Schwartz, S., & Klein, E. (2019) PTSD may
occur as a trauma response to a significantly traumatizing event that an individual experiences or witnesses directly, such as sexual violence, actual
death of another or threatened death of another or self, or serious injury of another or self. I would attribute this to his combat action in the Persian
Gulf War in 1991. I believe to be true due to Timothy McVeigh being described as funny and happy prior to joining the United States Army, but he
was described as bitter and resentful after he was discharged.
What does your textbook say about the likelihood that your client’s mental states contributed to the crime?
According to DeLisi,M., Schwartz, S., & Klein, E. (2019), post-traumatic stress disorder is significantly less likely to be a mental illness associated
with criminal behavior.
Discuss whether psychopathy, insanity, or competence to stand trial are potential issues in your client’s case based upon your preliminary research
of the case and your assigned textbook readings
I believe psychopath would be an issue in my client’s case. I believe that due to his upbringing and some of his life experiences, he lost a certain
connection needed to display rational thought and behavior. I believe this was amplified by some of his readings and affiliations as well.

Bryan

References:
DeLisi, M., Schwartz, S., & Klein, E. (2019). Criminal psychology (2nd ed.). Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu

(https:/ Zyon Manning (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/73482)
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Hi Bryan,

When I read timothy’s case, I began to wonder about various aspects of his childhood. I was curious if he had a relationship with his mother after
his parents divorced. I was also interested in his admiration for guns and if this obsession stemmed from a potential lack of security that he developed
from being bullied when he was a teenager. I agree with your assessment of timothy, stating that he has an anti-social personality disorder and
PTSD. While I was shocked by his response when he was told that there were children in the building that he bombed, McVeigh does state how the
army taught him how to dismiss his emotions when necessary (Blanco, n.d.). Another source that may help identify a link between your client’s history
and the crime is impulse control (Kosson, Smith & Newman, 1990). Timothy revealed several impulsive actions, such as bringing guns to school,
dropping out of business school, dropping out of the special forces, and his brief use of methamphetamine with an old friend from the army (Blanco,
n.d.).

Reference

 Reply

Blanco, J, I. (n.d.). Timothy McVeigh. Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers. Retrieved from http://murderpedia.org/male.M/m1/mcveigh-
timothy.htm (http://murderpedia.org/male.M/m1/mcveigh-timothy.htm)

Kosson, D. S., Smith, S. S., & Newman, J. P. (1990). Evaluating the construct validity of psychopathy in Black and White male inmates: Threepreliminary s
259.

(https:/ Tamara Schnepel (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/4173)
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Nice job! You picked a good one! Timothy is very interesting. When you are researching him, be sure to really look at his childhood and what
could/did happen that could have led to his choices in adulthood. I don’t want you to think that I am dismissing his time in the military and what he saw
while serving overseas, but a lot of times there is something in the childhood that becomes in-bedded in our unconscious mind that come out due to
things that happen later in life. Also, look at why he wanted death – why did he not fight the death penalty, like most do. There is something in his mind
that tells him that is better off dead than alive – this also goes into the idea of why did he bomb the Federal Building – was he wanting to die then?

Hope these ideas help you and make sense! Good job.

tamara

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I chose Aileen Wuornos, the reason why is twofold. The first is that she was born into a horrible situation, abuse like she grew up with stays with a
person. The second is that reading through the information given it feels like there are some missing pieces that were overlooked.
Wournos was diagnosed with both boarderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder, she also had a father that was believed to be
schizophrenic, which can be genetically passed down (Blanco, n.d.). She shows signs of emotional instability and has a past of “maladaptive and
harmful behaviors” (Shalchi, May 30, 2019) which are clear symptoms of her boarderline personality disorder. Her behavior also shows a distinct
“disregard for the rights of others” (DeLisi, Schwartz, & Klein, 2019), which is a symptom of antisocial personality disorder. Both if these disorders
can be seen when looking at her previous arrests which involve disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, multiple counts of assault, and obstruction of
justice, as well as the rest of her criminal record (Blanco, n.d.). Schizophrenic behavior is also shown in her inability to tell the difference between
delusions and reality, which would also help explain why her story keeps changing between murder and self-defense. I would also like to note that
while she does not necessarily show all of the classic signs of PTSD, it would be wise to look into how her childhood trauma has affected her. Her
childhood trauma includes being abandoned at a young age by her mother, sexual assault from multiple sources, and being beaten by her
grandfather (Blanco, n.d.).
Schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder are both within the “most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in criminal offenders” (DeLisi,
Schwartz, & Klein, 2019), PTSD is also to a much lesser extent, which are all disorders that Wuornos has or shows signs of potentially having.
There is a chance of Wuornos not being able to stand trial due to competency issues. One of the main clues to this is that she can not keep her
story straight due to her inability to tell her delusions from reality. If it was her just lying then the story would stay mostly confined to the exact same,
the truth on the other hand will start to expand as she has more time to process the information. With her though it keeps switching from murder to
self defense, and she shows to believe both as being the truth.

Resources
Blanco, J. I. (n.d.). Aileen Wuornos | Murderpedia,the encyclopedia of murderers. Retrieved from http://murderpedia.org/female.W/w/wuornos-
aileen.htm
DeLisi, M., Schwartz, S., & Klein, E. (2019). Criminal psychology (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http://content.ashford.edu
Shalchi, H. (May 30, 2019). Boarderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia: What’s the difference? Baylor College of Medicine.
Retrieved from https://blogs.bcm.edu/2019/05/30/borderline-personality-disorder-bipolar-disorder-and-schizophrenia-whats-the-difference/

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Nice job!! There are a lot of missing pieces – I firmly believe her attorney missed a lot of things that could have spared her life. Starting with her
childhood – look at the idea of what in her childhood led to her adult behaviors. My best advice is watch her last interview video (you can find on
YouTube), this will give you a lot of insight into her mindset; also there is a new documentary out (I cannot remember the name) that discusses letters
to a childhood friend – this adds a new twist on to who Aileen was in her childhood – but keep in mind is this just a person who really loves and cares for
Aileen not seeing the true Aileen. Also, look at the idea of PTSD (I know you discussed this) in relation to the first man she killed – look at his criminal
history. With Aileen there is a lot to think about – the final question really is: Did we put to death a woman who was severely mentally ill? Also, think
about what the US Constitution states about putting a mentally ill person to death. Good job!

Hope these thought processes help you!

tamara

(https:// Courtney Hill (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/users/25993)
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Tell us which client you chose and why. That is, what was it about the case that interested you?

The client I chose Timothy McVeigh. I chose this murderer because of his military background. I am in the military and I have served overseas. I
have seen the mental stability of my fellow Airmen diminish over time during deployments. This case is interesting because it was one of the most
fatal domestic events prior to September 11, 2001.

Based upon your preliminary research on this case/client and your assigned textbook readings, what mental disorders might your client
be suffering from that may have contributed to the crime?

Based upon preliminary research, I believe Timothy McVeigh could be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. This could also present forms of
delusions.

Describe the disorder including its signs and symptoms. Connect those that you believe apply to your client’s behavior.

McVeigh believe the government was out to get him and threatening his Second Amendment rights to bear arms. This is persecutory delusions. It
could have been from his time at war not understanding his role.

What does your textbook say about the likelihood that your client’s mental states contributed to the crime?

The textbook says the likelihood of mental stability contributing to a crime exist. “Empirical data contradict this perception and show that seriously
mentally ill individuals are significantly more likely to be victims of a crime than they are to perpetrate crimes.” (Schwartz & Klein, 2019)

Discuss whether psychopathy, insanity, or competence to stand trial are potential issues in your client’s case based upon your
preliminary research of the case and your assigned textbook readings.

Based upon preliminary research I do not see potential issues in McVeigh’s case. His mental stability and capability are sufficient to stand trial.

DeLisi, M., Schwartz, S., & Klein, E. (2019). Criminal psychology (https://ashford.instructure.com/courses/61753/external_tools/retrieve?
display=borderless&;url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.ashford.edu%2Flti%3Fbookcode%3DDeLisi.5989.19.1) (2nd ed.). Retrieved from
https://content.ashford.edu
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Nice job! When looking at Timothy, really dig back into his childhood and see what happened in his childhood that could have led to his adult
behaviors. Many times things happen in a persons childhood that get locked into our unconscious mind and then resurface later in life – is this what
happened with Timothy? Netflix also has a documentary on the Oklahoma City bombing, which may give you additional insight into who Timothy was.
Also, attempt to understand why he wanted to die; why did he give up all of his appeals? Was he hoping to die during the bombing, or by the hands of
police after the bombing. Really look into his mindset for his willingness to die so easily. Hope these tidbits help. Good job.

tamara

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Hello Courtney.

Timothy McVeigh is another very interesting case. With his PTSD it is easy to see how what is did was justifiable in his eyes. His delusions and self
conspiracy theories towards the government on top of the disorder definitely contributed to the reason he bombed that building. I feel that he probably
wanted to die but I think he did not want to just commit suicide because most feel that it is the coward way out and with being an ex solider who lives
by codes and strict rules this may not have been honorably way to go out. After all since he was making a stand for something he irrationally believed
in it would make more sense to go out with the bang he and his military buddy believed in. Great post.

CRJ308
PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL

BEHAVIOR
Professional Resources List

CRJ308: PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES

LIST

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES

CRJ308: PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL
BEHAVOIR

KILLER BIOS

Anonymous. (2011, January 12). Loughner’s sickness. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/

• The full-text version of this article is available through the ProQuest database in the Ashford University

Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article speculates

about Laughner’s possible mental health concerns and will assist you in choosing a client for your Week

1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report Topic and Outline

assignment,

and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study Report Final Paper.

Arrigo, B. A., & Griffin, A. (2004). Serial murder and the case of Aileen Wuornos: Attachment theory, psychopathy, and

predatory aggression. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 22(3), 375-393. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.58

• The full-text version of this article is available through the EBSCOhost database in the Ashford

University Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article

describes a detailed case study analysis of Wuornos and will assist you in choosing a client for your Week

1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report Topic and Outline
assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study

Report Final

Paper.

The Associated Press. (2001, June 10). Model soldier McVeigh is remembered as being funny, “good-natured” he left

army embittered against the government. St. Louis Dispatch. Retrieved from https://www.stltoday.com/

• The full-text version of this article is available through the ProQuest database in the Ashford University

Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article describes

McVeigh from his father’s perspective and will assist you in choosing a client for your Week 1 Choose

Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report Topic and Outline assignment,

and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study

Report Final Paper.

3
CRJ308: PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES LIST

Bragg, R. (1995, August 4). A killer’s only confidant: The man who caught Susan Smith. New York Times. Retrieved

from https://www.nytimes.com

• The full-text version of this article is available through the ProQuest database in the Ashford University

Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article tells the story

of the Union County Sherriff Howard Wells and his success in getting a confession from Smith. It will

assist

you in choosing a client for your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final

Comprehensive Case Report Topic and Outline assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study

Report Final Paper.

Bundy, Theodore Robert [Theodore Robert Cowell] (1946-1989): American murderer. (2002). In S. Phelps (Ed.), World

of Criminal Justice, Gale. Retrieved from

https://search.credoreference.com

• The full-text version of this article is available through the Credo Reference database in the Ashford

University Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article

provides a biographical narrative of Bundy. It will assist you in choosing a client for your Week 1 Choose

Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report Topic and Outline assignment,
and your Week 5

Comprehensive Case Study Report Final Paper.

Chapman, R. (2013). McVeigh, Timothy (1968—2001). In R. Chapman, & J. Ciment (Eds.), Culture wars in America: An

encyclopedia of issues, viewpoints, and voices (2nd ed.). Retrieved

from https://search.credoreference.com

• The full-text version of this article is available through the Credo Reference database in the Ashford
University Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article

provides a brief narrative of McVeigh’s background and eventual crimes. It will assist you in choosing a

client for your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report

Topic

and

Outline assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study Report Final Paper.

Lamar, J. V., & Holmes, C. (1989, February 6). “I deserve punishment” killer Ted Bundy bargains and postures to the

end. Time, 133(6), 34. Retrieved from http://time.com/

• The full-text version of this article is available through the EBSCOhost database in the Ashford
University Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article

describes an overview of Bundy’s last days of life leading up to his execution and will assist you in

choosing a client for your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive

Case Report Topic and Outline assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study Report Final

Paper.

McVeigh, Timothy James (1968-2001). (2002). In S. Phelps (Ed.), World of Criminal Justice, Gale. Retrieved from

https://search.credoreference.com

CRJ308: PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES LIST
• The full-text version of this article is available through the Credo Reference database in the Ashford
University Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article
provides a brief narrative of McVeigh’s background and eventual crimes. It will assist you in choosing a
client for your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report
Topic

and Outline assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study Report Final Paper.

Muskal, M. (2012, November 9). Giffords attends Loughner sentencing. The Charleston Gazette. Retrieved from

https://www.wvgazettemail.com

• The full-text version of this article is available through the ProQuest database in the Ashford University

Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article tells the

account of the congresswoman attending the sentencing of Laughner, the man who shot her. It will assist

you in choosing a client for your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final
Comprehensive Case Report Topic and Outline assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study
Report Final Paper.

Ramsland, K. (2013). The many sides of Ted Bundy. Forensic Examiner, 22(3), 18-25. Retrieved from

http://www.theforensicexaminer.com

• The full-text version of this article is available through the ProQuest database in the Ashford University

Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article provides first-

hand accounts from the view of Bundy’s family, friends, and lovers. It will assist you in choosing a client

for your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report Topic

and Outline assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study Report Final Paper.

Slapper, G. (2011). Changing madness to badness. Journal of Criminal Law, 75(5), 337-340.

doi:10.1350/jcla.2011.75.5.719

explores the question of the compulsory medicating of Laugher, who was found unfit to stand trial due to

mental illness. It will assist you in choosing a client for your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your

Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report Topic and Outline assignment, and your Week

Comprehensive Case Study Report Final Paper.

Susan smith gets life; accused gasps at unanimous verdict; Susan Smith: A life. (1995, Jul 29). Edmonton Journal.

Retrieved from http://edmontonjournal.com

• The full-text version of this article is available through the ProQuest database in the Ashford University

Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article details the

5
CRJ308: PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES LIST

final court sentencing of Smith and a brief timeline of her life. It will assist you in choosing a client for

your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report Topic and

Outline assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study Report Final Paper.

Williams, K. V. (2013). From “monster” to “mentally ill.” In Gendered politics in the modern south: The Susan Smith

case and the rise of a new sexism, (pp. 131-149). Retrieved from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com

• The full-text version of this book chapter, Chapter 7, is available through the Ebook Central database in

the Ashford University Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app.

This chapter details the how the defense argued for mental illness as the reason behind Smith’s crimes. It

will assist you in choosing a client for your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final

Comprehensive Case Report Topic and Outline assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study
Report Final Paper.

Wuornos, Aileen. (2008). In L. J. Palmer, Encyclopedia of capital punishment in the United States (2nd ed.). Retrieved

from https://search.credoreference.com
• The full-text version of this article is available through the Credo Reference database in the Ashford
University Library and also available in the online classroom through the Killer Bios app. This article

provides a timeline of Wuornos’ life as a prostitute and serial killer. It will assist you in choosing a client

for your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report Topic
and Outline assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study Report Final Paper.

Wuornos, Aileen Carol [Aileen Carol Pittman] (1956-). (2002). In S. Phelps (Ed.), World of Criminal Justice, Gale.

Retrieved from https://search.credoreference.com

provides a brief narrative of Wuornos’ life and eventual crimes. It will assist you in choosing a client for

your Week 1 Choose Your Client discussion, your Week 3 Final Comprehensive Case Report Topic and
Outline assignment, and your Week 5 Comprehensive Case Study Report Final Paper.

CRJ308: PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVOIR

KILLER BIOS

Introduction to the Psychology of Criminal Behavior provides an overview of the intersection of
psychology and the criminal justice system. The biopsychosocial factors that may influence criminal
behavior are examined such as aggression, psychopathy, mental health disorders, and brain dysfunction.
Finally, appropriate psychological interventions are evaluated to determine the best course of action for
predicting and treating criminal behavior in both juveniles and adults.

This course provides students with foundational knowledge regarding the psychological and sociological
characteristics associated with criminal behavior. The textbook and other course sources examine the
complex nature of criminal behaviors through a variety of theories, methodologies, and perspectives.
Case studies and real‐life examples are also included. Through discussions, journal activities, written
assignments, and a Comprehensive Case Study Report Final Paper, students will utilize course content as
well as additional scholarly research to critically consider concepts that focus on the evolution of
criminal and delinquent behavior.

Throughout the course, you will notice Twitter feeds have been added after each weekly Introduction.
These feeds are from major criminal justice organizations and other sources that are relevant to this
course; the feeds are recommended only and not required. Twitter is as useful as the links it provides;

some are more useful than others, so keep an eye out for any of these credible source materials for
support in your discussions and written assignments.

Week 1 kicks off the course by examining mental disorders that are most frequently correlated with
criminal behavior. You will learn that, contrary to stereotype, individuals who suffer from mental
disorders do not commit a high percentage of crimes. You will also learn about psychopathy, its
characteristics, and its relationship to criminal behavior.

Learning Outcomes
This week students will

1. Examine the various types of offender profiling.
2. Analyze ethical considerations in offender profiling.
3. Differentiate features of various types of murders.
4. Assess the impact that biological, developmental, and situational factors have on the

development of criminal behavior.

Discussions

1. Post Your Introduction—Careers in Criminal Psychology [WLO: 1] [CLO: 1]. 1st Post Due by
Day 1. Prior to beginning work on this discussion, access the Society for Police and Criminal
Psychology’s Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Psychology support page for
students. Please read through the organization’s web page on educational requirements,
skills required, and how to go about pursuing a graduate degree in criminal psychology.

After reviewing the web page, please provide an introduction about yourself, including:

 Where you are from and your career plans.

 What did the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology web page recommend for
an undergraduate to do in order to gain experience in the field?

 One area of criminal psychology that interests many individuals is criminal
profiling. What is the likelihood of a career in criminal profiling?

 Was the website helpful in providing more information about your career plans? If so,
in what way?

Guided Response: Review several of your classmates’ posts, and respond to at least two of
your peers. Be sure to discuss your experiences and how they might be similar to or different
from the experience your classmates shared. You are encouraged to post your required
replies earlier in the week to promote more meaningful and interactive discourse in this
discussion forum. Continue to monitor the discussion forum until 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
on Day 7, and respond with robust dialogue to anyone who replies to your initial post.

2. Choose Your Client [WLOs: 3, 4] [CLOs: 2, 3, 4]. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Prior to beginning
work on this discussion, read the article, “Sentencing Advocates Enhance Reasoned
Court Decisions,” then read the list of infamous murderers whose high profile crimes
dominated headlines for many years. Choose one of these individuals to become your
client for the remainder of the course. That is, this individual and case will be the topic
of your final assignment in the course:

In your online classroom, select the link “Killer Bios” for a list of these infamous murderers. In
that link, you will find several Ashford University Library sources on each murderer. In

addition, there are some starter links listed below under each name. Client cases to choose
from:

 Aileen Wuornos (Florida Serial killer)
o Biography’s Aileen Wuornos Biography
o Murderpedia’s Aileen Carol Wuornos

 Susan Smith (South Carolina murderer)
o Biography’s Susan Smith Biography
o Murderpedia’s Susan Smith

 Santae Kimes (Murderer)
o Biography’s Sante Kimes Biography
o Murderpedia’s Sante Kimes

 Jared Lee Loughner (Congresswoman Giffords’ shooter/mass murderer)
o Biography’s Jared Lee Laughner Biography
o Murderpedia’s Jared Lee Loughner

 Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City Bombing)
o Biography’s Timothy McVeigh Biography
o Murderpedia’s Timothy James McVeigh

 Ted Bundy (National/Florida Serial killer)
o Biography’s Ted Bundy Biography and
o Murderpedia’s Theodore Robert Bundy

Imagine that you have been retained by the client’s defense attorney as a death penalty
mitigation expert. Your role in this capacity is to work as a sentencing advocate on behalf of
your client (the defendant). In Week 5, you will prepare a comprehensive case study report.
This report will contain an analysis of the psychological factors that may have contributed to
the commission of the crimes in the chosen case study and how these psychological factors
should be considered as a basis for a prison sentence less than the death penalty. For the
purpose of this discussion, we are proceeding as if the client is still alive and has not yet
been sentenced (though all of these cases have already been resolved). In your initial post of
300 words, please examine the following and address the questions below:

 Tell us which client you chose and why. That is, what was it about the case that
interested you?

 Based upon your preliminary research on this case/client and your assigned
textbook readings, what mental disorders might your client be suffering from
that may have contributed to the crime?

 Describe the disorder including its signs and symptoms. Connect those that you
believe apply to your client’s behavior.

 What does your textbook say about the likelihood that your client’s mental
states contributed to the crime?

 Discuss whether psychopathy, insanity, or competence to stand trial are potential
issues in your client’s case based upon your preliminary research of the case and
your assigned textbook readings.

 Support your claims with examples from the required materials, other scholarly
and/or credible sources, and properly cite any references.

U172531
Highlight

Guided Response: Review several of your peers’ initial posts and, in a minimum of 100 words
each, respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7. As you read through your
peers’ posts, please respond to at least two of your classmates who chose a different “client”
than you chose. Be sure to provide constructive feedback, and ask follow‐up questions to
your peers regarding their client and case. That is, focus on what your classmates write about
their clients’ biopsychosocial histories. Is this similar to your client’s history? Suggest at least
one additional source to your classmates that may be helpful to them in investigating the
relationship between the client’s history and the crime. Respond in a substantive manner
with specific examples to extend their thinking. Support your claims with examples from the
required materials and/or other scholarly or credible sources, and properly cite any
references. You are encouraged to post your required replies earlier in the week to promote
more meaningful and interactive discourse in this discussion forum. Continue to monitor the
discussion forum until 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Day 7, and respond with robust dialogue
to anyone who replies to your initial post.

Journal
1. Diagnosing Criminal Defendants [WLOs: 3, 4] [CLOs: 1, 2, 3]. Due by Day 7. Prior to

beginning this journal, read the article, “Are Forensic Experts Biased by the Side that
Retained Them?,” and examine the subjective nature of forensic psychology concerning
the evaluation of criminal defendants. In a one‐ to two‐page journal entry:

 Evaluate the influences that can contribute to differential diagnoses depending
upon which side hires the psychologist to evaluate a criminal defendant.

o Determine how to minimize cognitive bias.
As you reflect on the article for your journal, analyze the ethical considerations of

 Diagnosing a defendant.

 Diagnosing the legal implications of a negative diagnosis.
Based on your assigned readings, including this article, do you believe that such
assessments as the PCL‐R Checklist can provide accurate predictions of an individual’s
behavior? Cite examples from your readings that support your analysis.

Just as helpful tip:  remember to read all the directions and requirements for each discussion question,
so that you do not miss any components of the discussion question.  For some additional assistance with
your journal and final project I will be posting some articles that I have used while teaching this class on‐
ground that students have found very useful.

I know that this sounds like a lot, but I know that each of you can do this and will do well.  If you have
any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email, I will do whatever I can to
assist you with your problem or concern.

This is one of my favorite classes to teach as we can apply a lot of what we learn to ourselves and how
we deal with issues in our lives.  As I told my students on‐ground – attempt to put yourself in the
criminal shoes and see things through their eyes, sometimes it can tell us a lot.  Let’s get ready to have
some fun over the next 5 weeks.

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