Highlights Upon The Case of Aileen Wuornos

Introduction

The 1990s were marked by the shocking emergence of a woman who would later be known as America's first female serial killer. Aileen Wuornos, born in Troy, Michigan, murdered seven men in Florida between 1989 and 1990 while working as a prostitute. This essay focuses on the actions that led to her execution in October 2002.

Background

According to Shipley and Arrigo (2004), Aileen Wuornos was born in 1956 into a dysfunctional family. Her mother was only 14 when she married, and Aileen never met her father. At age four, she was left in the custody of her grandparents, where she was subjected to abuse by her grandfather. By age 11, she was already exchanging sex for cigarettes, drugs, and food, and had an incestuous relationship with her brother. In 1970, at the age of 14, she became pregnant by one of her grandfather's accomplices, giving birth the next year to a child who was placed for adoption. That same year, she was thrown out of the house and began supporting herself through prostitution.

Early Criminal Activity

Aileen Wuornos had a history of child abuse and neglect, leading to severe physical and psychological issues. Her first arrest came at the age of 18 for driving under the influence, disorderly conduct, and firing a pistol. Two years later, she moved to Florida and married a 69-year-old yacht club president, whom she assaulted with his own cane. This marked the beginning of a life of crime that eventually culminated in the murders that made her infamous.

The Murders

According to Wikipedia, the murders began in late November 1989 and ended a year later in November 1990. All seven men were killed at point-blank range. By 1993, she had received six death sentences. Although she claimed self-defense, arguing the men had raped or attempted to rape her, the jury was unconvinced. Wuornos scored 32/40 on the Psychopathy Checklist, a score associated with psychopathy.

Incarceration and Execution

Wuornos was incarcerated on Florida's death row for women, later transferred to Florida State Prison for execution. In 1996, her appeal to the Supreme Court was denied, and her behavior became increasingly erratic. She accused the prison of mistreatment and confessed to the murders: 'I killed those men, robbed them as cold as ice. And I'd do it again, too. There's no chance in keeping me alive or anything because I'd kill again. I have hate crawling through my system...I am so sick of hearing this 'she's crazy' stuff. I've been evaluated so many times. I'm competent, sane, and I'm trying to tell the truth. I'm one who seriously hates human life and would kill again.' Her execution took place on October 2, 2002, making her the tenth woman executed in the United States and the second in Florida.

Media and Public Perception

The case of Aileen Wuornos received extensive media coverage, leading to her portrayal in books, songs, and films. Public opinion was divided; some acknowledged her traumatic childhood, while others focused solely on her crimes. The prosecution dismissed her self-defense claims due to her inconsistent storytelling. Despite being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, the jury found her capable of distinguishing right from wrong. Her mental instability and potential post-traumatic stress disorder were overlooked.

Legal and Psychological Considerations

The judge had evidence of Wuornos's troubled past, including antisocial and borderline personality disorders, childhood abuse, and familial suicides. Despite this, the jury recommended the death penalty. Her diagnosis as a psychopath was questioned, given her relationship with Tyria Moore, whom she cared for deeply. This complexity raises questions about the nature of psychopathy and the justice system's response to mental health issues.

Conclusion

Aileen Wuornos's final statement, 'You sabotaged my ass, society, and the cops, and the system. A raped woman got executed and was used for books and movies and shit,' highlighted societal failures. Her case is now viewed through the lens of the #MeToo movement, which criticizes the jury for ignoring her mental instability. Wuornos's story exemplifies how societal judgment can overshadow the need for understanding and rehabilitation.

This is the case of Aileen Wuornos, the first female serial killer in the United States, who was incarcerated for ten years and executed amidst her deteriorating mental state. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of human behavior and the consequences of a punitive justice system.

Works Cited

• Shipley, S. L., & Arrigo, B. A. (2004). The Female Homicide Offender: Serial Murder and the Case of Aileen Wuornos. Pearson.
• Aileen Wuornos. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aileen_Wuornos
• Monstrous end to tragic story. (2002, October 9). The Scotsman. Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/monstrous-end-to-tragic-story-1-1393359
• Revisiting Aileen Wuornos in Light of #MeToo. (n.d.). Medium. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@misswellstoyou/revisiting-aileen-wuornos-in-light-of-metoo-835fac5aa51d
• Wuornos execution. (2002, October 9). CNN. Retrieved from https://www.webcitation.org/5bGafqK0R?url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/10/09/wuornos.execution/index.html
• Capital Punishment in Context: Aileen Wuornos. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://capitalpunishmentincontext.org/node/77455