Filicidal abuse in the histories of 15 condemned murderers.
This paper describes the family characteristics of 15 Death Row inmates. It documents extraordinary physical and/or sexual abuse in 13 cases. It describes murderous behaviors of parents toward children in 8 cases and documents ongoing hostility and neglect throughout childhood and adulthood. The paper explores the mechanisms by which such abuse may contribute to violent behaviors. It highlights the relevance of these findings to the outcome of sentencing in capital cases.
D002203:Capital Punishment; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D003417:Criminal Psychology; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010290:Parents; D011889:Rage; D014481:United States