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Subscribe to RSSCould Jerry Sandusky have a psychiatric condition that helps explain the alleged acts of sexual abuse he's currently on trial for? That's what the defense for the former Penn State assistant football coach intends to argue, according to court documents released today.
Prosecutors have argued that letters Sandusky wrote to multiple young boys are proof of "grooming behavior" -- something pedophiles do that might include giving kids presents or acting nicely toward the child to establish an intimate relationship. Over time, it can make the child feel like he or she "owes" the predator sexual acts. The defense intends to argue that these letters exhibit signs of a histrionic personality disorder, a psychiatric condition in which people act in overly emotional and dramatic ways in order to draw attention to themselves.
The defense may or may not succeed in arguing that an undiagnosed personality disorder explains the letters, but when it comes to the case as a whole, the psychiatric issue is irrelevant, says Dr. Liza Gold, clinical prof of psychology at Georgetown University.
"This really has nothing to do with whether he molested boys," says Gold, who stresses that she has not examined Sandusky herself.
"There's no evidence that I know of that links personality disorder to pedophilia," she says. Some pedophiles may have a personality disorder, and some with a personality disorder may be pedophiles. But there's no correlation between the two, argues Gold, who also serves as the vice president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. "It's apples and oranges. It's not even apples and oranges; it's apples and rocks."
People with histrionic personality disorder often need to feel like they're the center of attention, and they tend to seek endless reassurances and approval from others. They may believe a relationship is more intimate than it actually is, and they may act in inappropriately seductive ways toward other people. One hint of the disorder may be a string of failed romantic relationships or a history of many job changes -- and while that's not the case in all with the condition, it's worth noting that Sandusky has been married to the same woman since the late '60s, and he spent almost his entire three-decade career as an assistant coach at Penn State.
To diagnose a person with the disorder, a psychologist will consider his or her current and past patterns of behavior and overall psychiatric history, and compare them with the current definition of histrionic personality disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, usually referred to as the DSM.
It's true that the defense could have evidence of a previous psychiatric history that hasn't been made public. But as Gold says, it's not uncommon for a person in legal trouble to claim they have a psychiatric disorder of some kind. She adds that it would be unusual for an older man to be diagnosed with the personality disorder late in life, especially because the condition is more common in women.
"Even if he has a personality disorder, it would not, to my mind, explain any kind of behavior involving child abuse and inappropriate relationships with children," Gold reiterates.
"I think the money question is, So he has a histrionic personality disorder. So what?" she continues. "You have to show that there's some relationship to the behavior at issue. And the behavior at issue isn't writing some letters to some kids; the behavior at issue here is pedophilia."
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All those boys Sandusky (the Husky Hot Dog Maaaaayannnn!) molested certainly can't be "right in the head" anymore. Sadly, they're all likely to be a bunch of mincing, twinkle-toed gay boys hanging out on street corners looking to pick up a trick. Thank Jerry and his six inch"tickle monster" for that.
No. It does not matter. Neither does it matter for Paterno who knew and hid it to avoid scandal.
Being molested can certainly mess you up but it can't make you gay! That's not how it works. Get educated!
Ward, where did you come up with that @!$%#?
Ward, please educate yourself a little about what you are writing. Your ignorance on the subject is not funny and your comments aren't either.
However, I have to agree the victims will be damaged for life. But that's not reason to make light of the fact with your reference to the "tickle monster".
This is a predator of the worst possible kind, preying on children (young boys) unable to defend themselves, physically or otherwise. He preyed on the young, the small, the vulnerable. I couldn't care less about any "personality disorder." Don't all child predators have personality disorders??? How can one do what this person did and NOT have some kind of disorder? The defense is desperate. They are grasping at straws, trying in vain to put lipstick on a pig.
May real justice be served up in prison. Probably not, though, he'll be PROTECTED. Unlike his own victims.
If he wants to use that defense, then, first, he needs to re-imburse the court costs that aggregated over the past several months because he kept saying he was innocent.. Then, let him plead insanity -- and hope the jurors don't buy it.
No.
The prisons are full of people with so-called "personality disorders." As they should be.
Of course he has a personality disorder, just based on his abnormal desires that should be obvious. NEVERTHELESS, he is a pervert that should be punished for what he did!
Most of us who have been abused see Sandusky for what he is-a pedophile who harms children. As others are now finding, Penn State did not want to do harm to Sandusky so they covered it up...typical. The cover up is systemic. Students and their parents and relatives, etc. are revenue sources. The student/young person/victim is a pawn in the game.
Jerry Sandusky COMMITED a CRIME against children. So, now, his defense team is "looking" at a "personality disorder" EXCUSE for commiting this CRIME. You are an ADULT, you COMMIT a crime against children, you KNOW what you're doing EVERY STEP OF THE WAY......and NOW......you are looking for an EXCUSE as to "why you commited this crime."
Maybe, the NEXT thing he would want is a "slap on the wrist" and told "NOT to do it again." Is this the way I read this? If this is the case....well, kids....."just watch your A__S next time. Because we have people with a "personality disorder" who could be "out for your rear."
What are we ......as a SOCIETY coming to now? He used his POSITION as a FOOTBALL COACH, and he even STARTED a CHARITY for young people, to bring them in....."to RAVISH" them to his full SATISFACTION under his FULL control.
I think this case is "open and shut"........send this SOB to jail and throw away the keys.
A personality disorder is not the same as insanity. Those afflicted know exactly what they are doing, there is no loss of reality perception.
Personality disorders are fuzzy diagnoses that, as a whole, could apply to a substantial portion of the population. If I have schizoid personality disorder--basically an extreme introvert--does that mean they let me off if I punch someone for invading my personal space? If I have narcissistic personality disorder, do I get to slander whomever I wish or forcibly take whatever I want with no repercussions?
WEAK defense. The attorneys have given up, there's no defending this guy.
Does it matter that Charles Manson has a personality disorder?
NO it doesn't matter that he has a personality disorder, that goes without saying, HE IS A CHILD MOLESTER! That is definitely a huge disorder, but he is still going to jail for it and he will experience hell on earth. Child rapist are not received very well in the clink.
I believe it doesn't matter if Sandusky has a "Personality Disorder". As others have posted earlier, the criteria for conviction of a crime seems to be did the individual know the difference between right and wrong. There is one thing that I don't see mentioned, and that is the make-up of the children in the Second Mile program. Surely some of the youngsters were girls. Girls need positive male influences in their lives. They might have benefited from being in a warm family environment with a famous coach and his family, sharing meals and yes, attending exciting football games.
Does a male person having a Histrionic Personality Disorder have an aversion to girls? Women in general?
If the answer is yes, they do have an aversion, then the questions that this raises in my mind are beyond my ability to comprehend.
That particular defense does not seem to mitigate the circumstances of his crimes. The only string of failed relationships that Sandusky appears to have is the long line of adolescent victims who can't stand the sight of him. He was able to maintain a permanent job, react appropriately in his professional relationships, run a large charity and remain married to the same woman for more than 30 years. He would also have to be in charge of his faculties to commit all of these offenses without getting caught-- that took a lot of premeditation and planning.
Does it matter if Sandusky has a personality disorder? No.
There is a special place in Hell for Sandusky - Right next to Joe Paterno.
He'll be a wide receiver in prison!
The disorder is called being a pedophile. It is a civic duty to put him someplace that will keep children safe from him.
Charles Manson had some issues too. I guess disorders can justify just about any behavior? Give me a break...this guy AND Charles Manson are evil, as are the thousands who have come before them and will continue to exist and manifest their own evils on our planet. We will find them, and treat them fairly because we are not evil, even though some of us have disorders. Then, we will lock them up with the others that we treated fairly, even though some of us have disorders. Period.
When all else fails, blame it on a mental disorder. He is a predator and needs to be kept away from young. I also would like to know what his wife thought was going on with those young boys in the basement. The defense needs to cut there loses and cut a deal. I wonder what the predators in the cell block are going to Never mind
Since the diagnoses of personality disorders have only one thing in common-that they're rubbish, just like the "ailments" they describe, I doubt if Jumping Jerry will be successful with this "defense". The most it will demonstrate is how out of touch with reality psychiatrists are.
When there is no defense, the duty of a defense lawyer is to do the very best he/she can to defend or mitigate the charge by inventing a defense.The jury should see that this defense is ludicrous and apply the "beyond a reasonble doubt "instruction appropriately.
Well certainly the guy is sick! So put him away.
coast guard lady made a well reasoned comment. What's fun for some concerning psychology and psychiatry is that everyone can be an expert if you just read enough out of the concocted manual for psych disorders (a new drug treatable condition is established every month it seems!).
Another catholic institution exposed, the sickos have so much power they feel they can get away with it among their deluded flock, including the judiciary and police they control. Setting up a charity for a pedophile happy hunting ground specifically targeting orphans - gee whiz, smacks of Boy's Town doesn't it? Is there a pattern here? Duuuhhh....
"The" church had a grand old time up in Canada with the kidnapped "orphans" of native americans, who they sport raped and murdered in the name of "God".
Chances are there are many more players than the sacrificial Sadistusky. There always are, but they run off to Rome or Mexico and are granted high office for the good deeds they have done in the name of the hole- e church. The cops and DA are covering up the bigger mess, as usual.
Haven't we as a nation had enough of these decadent, degenerate old world institutions wrecking our Republican experiment? Not just the RCC, to be sure.
I don't think Penn State is a Catholic school
personality disorder is no excuse. The only free ride he's getting is in the back of the van on the way to the pen, and I don't mean Penn State.
A pervert is a pervert. No excuses. It's like putting lipstick on a pig and telling everybody it's beautiful.
I hope he is found guilty, sent to jail and has a cell mate named Big Bubba.
HAHA I work at a prison and believe me there are a LOT of bubbas in prison that are just waiting for this freak
How about the Devil Made Me Do It defense? Or the Little Red Man undo influence syndrom. Too bad Old Jeff D,,,isn't stilll alive. Perhaps they would have made grate cell mates. " I'll have my POO Poo Platter to go.
Any child molester or rapist has psychological problems but that doesn't excuse them or their actions. A psych defense is nothing more than desperation!