Jerry Sandusky’s legal team is claiming that the former Penn State coach suffers from histrionic personality disorder, which is why he corresponded so extensively with his alleged victims and exhibited sexually seductive behavior. It is the type of argument that tends to leave many jurors unconvinced and can be viewed as too clever by half.
In one such communication, Sandusky wrote a boy:
“What was your reaction when you first met me? Did you care at all about me as a person? Can you be trusted? Do you appreciate me? When you give your word, does it have any meaning? Do you take pride in conquering people? What is love? What would you miss if a magician would make me disappear?”
Psychiatry professor Glen Gabbard of the Baylor College of Medicine rejected the notion that the disorder could be a defense of these types of charges — the view of a number of experts in the field. Here is the description of the disorder and its symptoms:
Histrionic personality disorder is a condition in which people act in a very emotional and dramatic way that draws attention to themselves.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The cause of this disorder is unknown. Both genes and early childhood events are thought to contribute. It occurs more often in women than in men, although it may be diagnosed more often in women because attention-seeking and sexual forwardness are less socially acceptable for women.
Histrionic personality disorder usually begins in early adulthood.
Symptoms
People with this disorder are usually able to function at a high level and can be successful socially and at work.
Symptoms include:
Acting or looking overly seductive
Being easily influenced by other people
Being overly concerned with their looks
Being overly dramatic and emotional
Being overly sensitive to criticism or disapproval
Believing that relationships are more intimate than they actually are
Blaming failure or disappointment on others
Constantly seeking reassurance or approval
Having a low tolerance for frustration or delayed gratification
Needing to be the center of attention (self-centeredness)
Quickly changing emotions, which may seem shallow to others
The problem with this disorder is that it sounds like many people who I have encountered in life. We used to just say that they had “bad personalities.” I doubt this is likely to be viewed in a more clinical way by the jury.
Elliot Atkins, a psychologist in private practice in the Philadelphia area, said that he found evidence of the disorder after interviewing Sandusky for six hours and reading his autobiography, “Touched.”
It would be difficult to see how any pedophile would not exhibit the same characteristics of this disorder. If the jury believes the earlier testimony of Sandusky being found having anal sex with a boy in the campus shower, it would seem to go beyond “acting or looking overly seductive.” There is a risk that the jury could find the argument insulting or opportunistic — pushing it further away from acquittal.
Source: MSNBC
Like Mike S said, he is not guilty yet.
But anyone who was found guilty of these allegations, let’s face the facts, would definitely be a bully.
A a worshiper at the alter of the bully religion, which Orwell had the good vision to see, to detect.
@Rafflaw – A “+1” for you too. Sorry, bud!
Everyone deserves their day of advocacy. That’s the “hokey-pokey” of our system.
@MikeSpindell – +1 It’s a rotten, odious job, but if you can look beyond the client to the process, the showers at the end of the day aren’t as long.
@Woosty – If the jury doesn’t buy it, odds are someone will be screaming like a little girl…
What personality disorders did all his enablers have? Just askin…
Thea attorney has to try something to defend him, but this guy is just a pure, evil pedophile that was allowed to prey on kids.
wow
of all the personality disorders that would make sense…’someone looking to get attention’ does not seem to mesh with ‘child molester/rapist’….
Cluster B (dramatic, emotional or erratic disorders):
Antisocial personality disorder: a pervasive disregard for the rights of others, lack of empathy, and (generally) a pattern of regular criminal activity.
Borderline personality disorder: extreme “black and white” thinking, instability in relationships, self-image, identity and behavior often leading to self-harm and impulsivity. Borderline personality disorder is diagnosed in three times as many females as males.[13]
Histrionic personality disorder: pervasive attention-seeking behavior including inappropriately seductive behavior and shallow or exaggerated emotions.
Narcissistic personality disorder: a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Characterized by self-importance, preoccupations with fantasies, belief that they are special, including a sense of entitlement and a need for excessive admiration, and extreme levels of jealousy and arrogance.
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but there are Shrinksters on the blog, what do they say?
@mespo – Probably their own self-perception. Certainly not in an objective reality. How ya been? Any more granny vs. the machine cases?
Sidebar: I think Sandusky’s wife needs to be locked in a room with mothers who’ve actually defended their children against monsters like her husband.
Really now. Given all that has come out pre-trial and now in a trial, what’s a lawyer to do who is obligated to defend his client who everybody thinks is guilty? I think any lawyer would hate to be in the position of defense counsel on this case, no matter how ineptly the guy’s trying to do his job.
Get that ugly photo off of the website. You will scare the children. It is strange that his lawyer would raise this BS as if it was a defense. If he is not insane or not competent to stand trial by reason of insanity it might have some relevance. If it mitigates his sentence at punishment time then I doubt it. State Penn. Football for America. Good ol Joe. Say it aint so.
“Believing that relationships are more intimate than they actually are
Having a low tolerance for frustration or delayed gratification”
If I were a juror I would see those as possible motivation for doing what he is accused of doing.
This, presumably, is how he claims “innocent by reason of insanity” without having to claim to be insane. I suspect the jury will not be impressed.
I read what Elliot Atkins, Ed.D., had to say.
BTW, the “Ed.D.” means Doctor of Education. In other words, he is trained as a school/educational psychologist. All I can say is the statements made by Atkins are embarrassing. This is the kind of guy for whom I love to help attorneys prepare a cross examination.
I have been consulting with attorneys on trial tactics for close to a half century. In all that time, I have never heard of a personalty disorder being used successfully as a defense in either the case in chief, or at a sentencing hearing.
I’m wondering what kinds of “reasonable accommodations” an employer would have to make, under the ADA, for an employee officially diagnosed as a drama queen. C’mon, guys, that’s what the definition of HPD designates: a drama queen.
It seems altogether possible Sandusky has this personality disorder, but it has nothing to do with sexual assault of children. Even if it illuminates the mind of the criminal, it does not mitigate the crime.
I just wish Papa Joe had been around to listen to the prosecution’s case.
He was a highly paid coach in a high pressure and high visibility position — other than Tom Landry, are there any other coaches who don’t display histrionic personality disorder in such circumstances?
And since when does HPD only occur around young boys and in secret?
I kinda think maybe the defense was hoping for a different ruling from the judge for appeal purposes. Or it believes in silk purses from sows’ ears.
He does seem to have many of the symptoms but that in no way excuses his behaviors with children. Pedophilia trumps histrionics.
“Acting or looking overly seductive”
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In this case? With that photo? Really?
Child molesters are the lowest form of animal life in prison. He will suffer a long time, and the guards will join in. Suicide could be a better option.