Serial killer: Henry Lee Lucas

Lucynthia Tisdale Psychology of Violence and Aggression Professor Ellis Tiffin University

Developmental Pathway
Living in poverty, suffering abuse by his mother, and

rejection by peers, it was obvious that Henry Lee Lucas would lead a life of crime, including murder. Early social risk factors included: Mental and physical abuse by his mother and stepfather; both were alcoholics. Family cramped in a two-room log cabin Rejected by his peers mainly because Viola dressed Lucas in dresses, and curled his hair., therefore, causing Lucas to drop out of school in the 5th grade (Bio).

Juvenile Delinquency
Antisocial and peer-rejected youths are heavily influenced by others deviant behavior (Bartol & Bartol, 2011, p. 32). For instance, Viola had sex with her clients in the home in front of her children, and husband. In addition, Bernie, Lucass step-father taught Bernie bestiality, and the torture of animals (Bio). Through imitational learning, Lucas believed that aggression,

violence, lying, manipulating, and stealing was the appropriate way to obtain things he deemed necessary for survival, or pleasure. In other words, there was no correction.

Juvenile Delinquency Continued

Conduct disorder is a cluster of behaviors characterized

by persistent misbehaviors (Bartol, C.; Bartol, A., 2011, p. 49). For instance, Lucas had sex with his halfbrother, raped a 14 year old girl, committed burglaries, and spent most of his teenage years in juvenile detention center (Bio). Lucas fits into the life-course persistent offender category. In other words, he continued to commit aggressive and violent crimes over his lifetime.

Psychopath
In my opinion, Lucas was a criminal psychopath.

Psychopaths exhibit a wide range, but persistent and serious antisocial behaviors (Bartol, C.; Bartol, A., 2011, p. 178). His actions were impulsive, and excited by his actions, for instance:
He confesses to murdering his mother, and have sex with

her post-mortem, and receives 20 to 40 years, but only serves 10. Committed statutory rape by coercision of 12 year old, mentally challenged, Becky Powell; later murdered her because she wanted to go home. He also had sex with her post-mortem; he later killed Kate Rich, which whom she allowed to stay in her home. He murdered her the same as Becky and his mother.

Psychopath Continued
Lucas also became involved with Ottis Toole. Although,

Lucas and Toole admitted to killing over 100 people, Lucas denied cannibalism (Bio). It was almost as if cannibalism was more dehumanizing to Lucas than killing people. Lucas received the death penalty, but was later commuted to life by then George W. Bush. Prior to death, he wrote letters to Toole where they admitted to cannibalism, and participation in more than 100 murders. Both received life. Toole died in 1996 and Henry died in 2001, at the age of 64 from natural causes (Bio).

Victims
Lucas suffered a lot as a child. He was abused, neglected, and ultimately shunned by his peers; as a result, he became aggressive, violent, and a serial killer. Had his parents taught Lucas right from wrong, I believe he would have lived a good life, instead, he committed criminal acts. It was not until a couple of years before his death did he seem somewhat remorseful for his actions, whether he was genuine in his apologies are unknown. However, I could not feel total disgust for someone who lacked total and disregard for others life because of his own life story.

References

Bourbon, A. (Producer). (2008, March 31). Serial Murderers: Henry Lee Lucas & Ottis Toole [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://tecnoculto.com/2008/03/31/asesinos-seriales-henry-lee-lucas-y-otis-toole/ CBS Interactive. (Producer). (2013). Henry Lee Lucas: Prison [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.comicvine.com/henry-lee-lucas/4005-81876/ Criminal Minds. (Producer). Henry Lee Lucas: Victims [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://criminalminds.wikia.com/wiki/Henry_Lee_Lucas Henry Lee Lucas: Teenager [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.s9.com/Biography/Lucas-Henry-Lee Ramsland, K. (n.d.). Henry Lee Lucas: Prolific serial killer or prolific liar?. Retrieved from http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/henry_lee_lucas/12.h tml The Biography Channel. (n.d.). Henry lee lucas biography. Retrieved from http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/henry-lee-lucas.html Word Press. (Producer). Henry Lee Lucas: Young [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://krackedkillers.wordpress.com/tag/henry-lee-lucas/