Charles Whitman
Charles Whitman
Born 24th June 1941 in Lake Worth, Florida. Died 1st August 1966 in Austin, Texas.
What he did:
In 1966 his mother left his father after years of abuse and moved to Austin. In the evening of 31st July Whitman killed his mother on the grounds that it was the only way to relieve her ‘suffering’.
Later that evening he stabbed his wife to death for no specific reason apart from to spare her the embarrassment of his actions.
On 1st August 1966 Whitman killed 16 innocent people in the University of Texas and injured many others before being shot dead by the police.
Possible reasons behind him doing what he did:
Early experience of domestic violence inflicted by his father.
Previous military training as a sniper meant that he was trained to kill.
Mental illness possibility after getting bad headaches and then seeing a psychiatrist.
In 1966 he was suffering from severe headaches and went to see a therapist. He did not return to the appointment
A brain tumour discovered in his autopsy may have triggered a seizure that made him lose the ability to discern the difference between right and wrong.
Had no money and his marriage was breaking up.
Which explanation of his actions do you find most convincing ?
I think that the most convincing explanation is the fact that he had been experiencing physical abuse from his father from a young age. I also think that the brain tumour found in his autopsy contributed to him perhaps not distinguishing correctly the morals of his actions.
Also, the fact that he left notes on his mother and wife’s bodies explaining why he killed them shows that he was not spontaneously violent or aggressive; he planned and intentionally killed
Born 24th June 1941 in Lake Worth, Florida. Died 1st August 1966 in Austin, Texas.
What he did:
In 1966 his mother left his father after years of abuse and moved to Austin. In the evening of 31st July Whitman killed his mother on the grounds that it was the only way to relieve her ‘suffering’.
Later that evening he stabbed his wife to death for no specific reason apart from to spare her the embarrassment of his actions.
On 1st August 1966 Whitman killed 16 innocent people in the University of Texas and injured many others before being shot dead by the police.
Possible reasons behind him doing what he did:
Early experience of domestic violence inflicted by his father.
Previous military training as a sniper meant that he was trained to kill.
Mental illness possibility after getting bad headaches and then seeing a psychiatrist.
In 1966 he was suffering from severe headaches and went to see a therapist. He did not return to the appointment
A brain tumour discovered in his autopsy may have triggered a seizure that made him lose the ability to discern the difference between right and wrong.
Had no money and his marriage was breaking up.
Which explanation of his actions do you find most convincing ?
I think that the most convincing explanation is the fact that he had been experiencing physical abuse from his father from a young age. I also think that the brain tumour found in his autopsy contributed to him perhaps not distinguishing correctly the morals of his actions.
Also, the fact that he left notes on his mother and wife’s bodies explaining why he killed them shows that he was not spontaneously violent or aggressive; he planned and intentionally killed