NCJ Number
26376
Journal
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Volume: 45 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY 1975) Pages: 712-722
Date Published
1975
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT THE DEATH PENALTY MAY ACT AS AN INCENTIVE TO HOMICIDE FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO COMMIT 'SUICIDE' BY MEANS OF AN EXECUTION BY THE STATE, AND PRESENTS A CASE HISTORY OF SUCH A PERSON.
Abstract
IN 1959, THE AUTHOR EXAMINED A MAN AT SAN QUENTIN PRISON THE DAY BEFORE HIS EXECUTION. THE AUTHOR REPORTS THAT THIS MAN CLAIMED TO HAVE COMMITTED THREE MURDERS FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF DYING BY LEGAL EXECUTION. THIS PAPER CONTAINS AN OVERVIEW OF THE CRIMINAL HISTORY AND TRIALS OF THIS INDIVIDUAL, AS WELL AS THE RESULTS OF THE AUTHOR'S INTERVIEW AND INFORMATION FROM A PSYCHIATRIC REPORT ON THE INDIVIDUAL.