Abstract
The main subject of this study is the life and downfall of Aileen Wuornos, who committed multiple murders. Serial killers are individuals who systematically murder more than three victims in a short period of time. These people possess the capability to behave without raising suspicion. Nevertheless, there are various indicators that can suggest their potential to become serial killers. Those who exhibit psychopathy, characterized by a significant inclination towards antisocial behavior, are especially vulnerable to becoming serial killers.
The FBI’s report indicates that there are typically 200-500 active serial killers operating simultaneously, resulting in approximately 3,500 annual fatalities. This concerning data underscores the ongoing nature of their lethal tactics, posing challenges for intervention.
Aileen Wuornos was born on February 29, 1956 in Rochester, Michigan. Her parents were Leo Dale Pittman and Diane Wuornos. According to the editors of the Crime and Investigation Network, Leo Dale Pittman was described as a “psychopathic child molester” while Diane Wuornos was seen as “a feckless teen mother quite incapable of the responsibilities of motherhood.” Aileen Wuornos had an older brother named Keith.
In 1960, Diane departed from them. However, Lauri and Britta Wuornos, her parents, welcomed both of them and raised them as their own children. As Wuornos and her brother grew older, they began to divulge their secrets. While Lauri was physically and sexually abusive, Britta battled alcoholism and also mistreated them. When Wuornos reached the age of twelve, her home environment became increasingly unstable. Both her grandfather Lauri Wuornos and her brother Keith engaged in sexual contact with her. At fourteen years old, she conceived a child with Keith and was subsequently sent to a home for unwed mothers.
On March 23, 1971, a boy was born to her and immediately given up for adoption. Sadly, soon after she returned home, her grandmother passed away due to liver failure caused by heavy drinking. Interestingly, according to the Crime and Investigation Network website, Wuornos’ biological mother took responsibility for the death. This tragic incident led Wuornos to run away from home and start hitchhiking around the world while resorting to prostitution in order to survive. Eventually, in May 1974, she found herself imprisoned in Jefferson County for disorderly conduct, driving under influence, and firing a weapon from a vehicle.
After being arrested in Michigan for assaulting a bartender and causing a disturbance, she completed her sentence and then proceeded to travel across the United States by hitchhiking. Ultimately, she reached Florida where she met Lewis Fell, a 69-year-old wealthy individual who served as president at a yacht club. Their connection was immediate and intense, resulting in their marriage in 1976.
However, Wuornos started engaging in fights at bars and was once again arrested for assault. Consequently, Fell decided to end his marriage with her due to her lack of shared moral values, especially as someone from high society.
After her divorce, Wuornos’ life spiraled downwards. During that time, her brother Keith passed away from throat cancer, leaving a $10,000 life insurance check behind. She utilized the funds to purchase an extravagant car, but unfortunately ended up crashing it shortly afterwards. Over the following decade, Wuornos persistently engaged in destructive behavior by involving herself in prostitution and carrying out numerous additional criminal acts such as forgery, theft, armed robbery, and assault.
Wuornos and Moore met at a Daytona Beach gay bar in 1986. They were both lesbians and their intense relationship lasted for four years.
According to the Abraham Lincoln Biography website, Aileen Wuornos and Tyria Moore faced financial difficulties as a result of their involvement in prostitution, which is a profession known for its violence and hazards. Similarly, the Capital Punishment in Context website presents a series of murders that occurred in central Florida between late 1989 and late 1990. During this period, seven middle-aged white men were discovered dead, with their bodies found. Besides killing them, the perpetrator also stole their vehicles after robbing each victim. The first victim was Richard Mallory, a 51-year-old shop owner who was killed in 1989. Six months later, another white male was found shot six times using the same gun used in Mallory’s murder.
Before the second body was identified, a third victim was found. In November 1989, four more men were discovered dead from gunshot wounds. Wuornos and Moore were listed as possible suspects in reports. In January 1991, both Wuornos and Moore were apprehended by the police. Wuornos confessed to murdering six of the men, claiming it was in self-defense.
According to the Capital Punishment in Context website, Wuornos stood trial on January 13, 1992, facing charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. She was accused specifically for the murder of Richard Mallory.
According to prosecutors, Wuornos was considered eligible for the death penalty due to her involvement in a robbery-murder. The trial took place in Volusia County, Florida and had Tricia Jenkins, Chief Assistant Public Defender of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and Steven Glazer, a private attorney representing Wuornos during her second trial. District Attorney John Tanner also played a role in the legal proceedings. Judge Uriel Blount, who had retired but came back specifically for Wuornos’ case as mentioned on the Capital Punishment in Context website.
The prosecutor built their case primarily on the recorded confession of Aileen Wuornos during her interrogation by detectives. Wuornos’ initial defense that all seven murders were acts of self-defense was rejected due to inconsistencies in her retelling of the events. She also admitted to giving contradictory versions of the story to Tyria Moore. In her initial confession, Wuornos placed more emphasis on exonerating Moore than herself and stated, “I took a life… I am willing to sacrifice my own life because I have killed people… I deserve the death penalty.”
The defense claimed that Wuornos’s statement was obtained without her consent and in violation of her right to a fair legal process. However, the trial dismissed this argument and rejected the defense’s request to prevent the use of the recorded confession as evidence. The jury swiftly deliberated for under two hours and found Wuornos guilty on all charges, including first-degree murder and armed robbery. Upon hearing the verdict, Wuornos angrily exclaimed, “Sons of bitches! I was raped! I hope you get raped. Scumbags of America.” Subsequently, the same jury conducted a penalty trial on January 28th, 1992 after her conviction.
Dr. Bernard testified during the trial that Aileen Wuornos had both borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. The jury, by a vote of 12, recommended the death penalty after determining that five aggravating circumstances and one mitigating factor existed in Wuornos’ case. Marlee Macleod states that Wuornos’ execution caused controversy regarding capital punishment in the U.S., with Illinois Governor Ryan leading the way. On October 9, 2002, Aileen Wuornos was executed through lethal injection, marking her as the tenth woman to receive the death penalty in Florida.
Katie Kustura had originally desired to wear white jeans, a white shirt, and a smile at her funeral. Nevertheless, the reality turned out differently. According to Macleod, Wuornos had harbored a longstanding wish for death and had previously mentioned it ten years ago when she was convicted. She felt a strong urge to find redemption from God, despite some doubts and her lawyers’ attempts to dissuade her. Despite the persistent efforts of her appellate lawyers over time, she remained resolute in her decision. Lee fought for and ultimately secured the right to dismiss her legal representation.
Multiple psychiatrists confirm that she had a complete understanding of the repercussions of relinquishing her rights to any future appeals, thus clearing the path for the issuance of her death warrant.
Works Cited
- Abraham Lincoln Biography” (2011). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved March 27, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/abraham-lincoln-9382540.
- Aileen Wuornos. Crime & Investigation Network website. Retrieved March 27, 2013, from http://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/aileen-wuornos/biography.html.
- The Case of Aileen Wuornos. Capital Punishment in Context. Retrieved March 27, 2013, from http://www.capitalpunishmentincontext.org/node/77454.
- Serial Killer Wuornos’ Memory Lives On Ten Years After Death (October 9th, 2012). The News Herald website. Retrieved March 27th, 2013 from https://www.newsherald.com/article/20121009/news/310099986
- Killer Who Preyed on Truck Drivers (n.d.). Trutv website. Retrieved March 27th , 2013 from https://web.archive.org/web/20091130143606/http:/www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/women/wuornos/index_1.html
