Last month I was in a law firm. Not because of a legal issue—I was there to discuss writing the content for their new websites. Two lawyers, who had been part of one firm, were setting up independent practices. One lawyer hired me. The other wasn’t sure, so he wanted to meet me. A week later I learned that the second lawyer decided he would write his website himself.
On Saturday, I was shocked to see a story in the local newspaper: The second lawyer, Seth A. Fuscellaro, who was also a public defender in Lower Township, New Jersey, was charged in a $15 million mortgage fraud scheme. The FBI actually arrested him in municipal court and escorted him out in handcuffs.
The lawyer was one of 11 people charged in the scheme. One man was also charged with attempted murder—he allegedly shot a witness multiple times. (The witness survived.)
As I read the article for the second time, I still couldn’t believe my eyes. When I met Fuscellaro, I saw absolutely nothing that might indicate any inappropriate behavior, let alone fraud on the scale reported in the newspaper. I had no reason to think the man might be anything but a busy lawyer.
Colorado movie massacre
People are having the same reaction, on a much larger scale, to the news that James Holmes, a shy neurosciences student who was working on his Ph.D., was arrested in the shooting massacre in the Aurora, Colorado movie theater.
People who knew Holmes, and knew his family, are stunned. Neighbors and teachers described him as “smart” but “quiet.” According to an article on CBSNews.com, “In high school, Holmes won a competitive position at a rigorous science boot camp and an internship in neurobiology at the prestigious Salk Institute.”
A video has emerged showing Holmes as an 18-year-old making a presentation to fellow students at a science camp, explaining “subjective experience—what takes place inside the mind, as opposed to the external world.”
Watch: James Holmes: First video of alleged killer released, on ABCNews.go.com.
Obviously, people want to know, “Is Holmes delusional? Does he have a mental illness?” It’s certainly too soon to know. But reporters are already asking the question:
Was this killer mentally ill?
“It says a lot about the type of prejudice we have when we automatically go to the presumption that a clinical mental illness was the cause,” says Praveen Kamban, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California-Los Angeles. “Even the surgeon general of the United States has said there’s very little risk of violence or harm from a stranger who has a mental disorder.
“Not all bad behavior comes from mental illness. Sometimes it can simply be bad behavior.”
Read Probe of shooting suspect James Holmes intensifies, on USAToday.com.
Syndrome of sociopathy (psychopathy)
Here is the point of today’s post: Just because someone behaves badly, even murderously, it does not prove that the person is a sociopath (psychopath).
Sociopathy is a pattern of behavior in which individuals manipulate and exploit others. It is a syndrome, which means the disorder is associated with several recognizable features, symptoms or behaviors.
As I explain on the Key Symptoms page of Lovefraud.com, Dr. Robert Hare identified the traits of a psychopath as:
- Glib and superficial
- Egocentric and grandiose
- Lack of remorse or guilt
- Lack of empathy
- Deceitful and manipulative
- Shallow emotions
- Impulsive
- Poor behavior controls
- Need for excitement
- Lack of responsibility
- Early behavior problems
- Adult antisocial behavior
Although James Holmes has yet to be charged in the Colorado shootings, let alone tried and convicted, he was caught at the scene and his apartment was booby-trapped with explosives. I think it’s fair to anticipate that he will go to prison.
Obviously, his actions were massively evil. Holmes planned his assault in a cold, calculated way. But is he glib, egocentric, grandiose or impulsive? Does he have a need for excitement? Did he have early behavior problems? Look at the video—does this guy at all resemble the human predators that we were involved with? No.
In my opinion, as heinous as this man’s actions were, he probably is not a sociopath (psychopath).
Joe Paterno
Here on Lovefraud, there was also a raging debate a few days ago about Joe Paterno. This case is a bit muddier, because we have learned, through the Freeh Report, that Paterno did lie, at least in reference to his knowledge of Sandusky’s behavior with young boys. We’ve also learned that he wielded incredible power at Penn State, used his power to protect his turf, and was willing to throw innocent children under the bus in order to avoid negative publicity and a stain on the shining image of Penn State football.
This is reprehensible. It is a betrayal of everything that the coach supposedly stood for. Still, based on what has been published about this affair, I doubt that any competent clinician would diagnose Paterno as a sociopath.
Keep in mind that not only is sociopathy a syndrome, it’s also a continuum. That means that a disordered person can have any of the traits listed above to a greater or lesser degree. To qualify as a sociopath, an individual needs high enough scores on enough of the traits to meet the threshold.
So perhaps Paterno would have scored high on “egocentric and grandiose.” But would he have scored high on all, or even many, of those other traits?
Quite honestly, I don’t know for sure. I never went to Penn State, never met Joe Paterno. I only have access to media reports, and they may be incorrect or biased. Many, many sportswriters have been coming out with articles saying, “I believed Joe Paterno and I was wrong.”
Bad behavior
Here at Lovefraud we’re learning about sociopaths, which is important not only for us as individuals, but for all of society. Millions of these predators live among us; they are incredibly destructive; and we need to watch out for them. The more people who are aware that they exist, the better.
Still, we need to guard against seeing a sociopath behind every bush. Not everyone who is power-centered, lies and steals, or even commits mass murder is a sociopath. As the psychiatrist quoted above says, sometimes bad behavior is just bad behavior.
Donna, thank you very much for this article – very, very SAD truths, but truths, nonetheless.
In grade school, there was a young boy with the last name of “Lamb.” He was painfully shy, very reserved, spoke only when spoken to, and actually resembled a lamb with curly golden locks and a seemingly meek demeanor. I was in several classes with this young boy until I was tranferred to a parochial school in 7th grade, and lost all knowledge of him, though I often thought of how doting teachers had been with him and his gentle demeanor.
In 1982, over a decade after I had last seen him, I was horrified to read a local article that reported this young man’s untimely end. He went on a rampage and shot his parents, in cold blood, and then shot himself dead.
Then, a girl that I went to parochial school with was murdered by her father. She was one year behind me, beautiful, brilliant, witty, and beloved. Her mother had been suffering terminal cancer and her father apparently slipped a cog, shot his wife, then my friend, and then himself. I, along with many other former classmates, attended this triple funeral in complete and utter shock – I still contemplate where this amazing young woman might have gone, had her life not been taken.
I don’t believe that either of the people that I’ve mentioned, above, were sociopaths. The Lamb boy, in retrospect, likely suffered an organic mental disorder (schizophrenia?) and there is no knowing what his family life may have actually been like. My friend’s father was distraught and seeking psychiatric help during that time was so stigmatized that it was hardly ever an option.
Not everyone who does “bad things” is a sociopath. And, caution is required when using that term unless I am “qualified” to render a professional assessment. What I have learned, experienced, and processed is that I am “qualified” to use the term, “…fits the profile of…” or, “…exhibits some of the symptoms of…”
This unfortunate association between really bad actions with certain sociopathy should be a catalyst for the Mental Health Professionals to get on the farking ball, set forth guidelines, and redefine some of these “personality disorders.” The term, “disorder,” suggests and infers that someone with a “personality disorder” can be treated, in some way, to “re-order” their personalities. And, this just is not true whether I have earned a degree in this field, or not. This is a known and recognized fact: the “disordered” cannot be “re-ordered.”
Thanks, again, Donna, for this insightful article.
I agree 100% with you, Donna, especially about seeing a sociopath behind every bush.
The shooting story hit me close to home because it was practically in my backyard. The gunshot victims were brought to the hospital where I work and many of my friends/colleagues worked tirelessly to try and save lives. The doctor who worked on the 6 y.o. girl, Veronica (which is coincidentally the name of my boa constrictor) has a young daughter herself. It was a very emotional situation for her and everyone else. The shooter’s school is the campus where I work, and the buildings where he studied are very close to the one I work in. The entire event is just shocking. I want to give a shout out to my colleagues at Children’s Hospital for being one of the finest group of doctors and nurses in the country. I feel so proud to work with these amazing people.
A few weeks ago I missed another shooting by one week at a free jazz in the park concert here in Denver. I was there a week before a police officer was shot there. What a violent society we live in. I’m starting to wonder how safe I am going out to public places!
In any event, I agree that Joe Paterno is not a sociopath based on the evidence I’ve seen. Not everyone who behaves badly is a sociopath. Some people just behave badly. And some just snap for whatever unknown reasons.
Stargazer – OMG – when I read the accounts of the victims I get choked up – it is such a tragedy – it must be so upsetting to be right in the middle of it.
Blessings to you and all your colleagues at the hospital – stay strong for the patients, their family members and the community.
Stargazer, I echo Donna’s gratitude for you, your colleagues, and all who have worked to help the victims and their families under such emotionally charged conditions.
I am in such an emotional state, myself, that reading up on any violent tragedies like the Colorado shootings sends me off into a tailspin of horror. I’m avoiding newscasts, posts, and articles with regard to this (and, other) horrific event until a much later date.
I offer my most humble and sincere blessings….and, my positive thoughts go out into the Universe for the victims and their families, friends, and loved ones….
Bad behavior isn’t always equal to sociopathy – thanks for that. I completely agree.
And charges of bad behavior without factual proof are very dangerous too.
If you saw the Batman movie, you’d be touched by the sentencing court scene for the very reason. The press should not be able to convict without fact because the media motives for doing it aren’t always about justice.
I think Gov Hunkenlooper expressed a real sentiment when he refused to speak Holmes’ name at the memorial for the victims. According to the FBI profiler who was interviewed, they were pointing at severe mental illness as of last night.
Sounds like you’re lucky not to have been awarded the website job with that attorney!
IMHO . . . The DEFINITION of INSANITY is
“a person who goes into a crowded theather and shoots as many people as he can”!
NO sane person does this. It makes me angry that people are going to discuss whether the shooter was insane (or not).
He is INSANE by Definition!
For me, I define psychopathy as a condition in which parts of the prefrontal cortex are not functioning. The part which experiences empathy for other people is “numbed”.
How that presents itself is OFTEN (caps for emphasis) visible in the lifestyle choices of a person, but some spaths may decide to live a life that isn’t obviously parasitical or malicious.
Some narcissists are particularly bright and used to succeeding academically. Yet they are shame-based too. For these people, failure or struggling, can be a huge narcissistic injury. And they lash out. I think that’s what happened to this young man.
I guess with spaths there is no way to know except by having a close relationshit for a long period of time. You can’t judge them by any single incident and they can portray a myriad of different personas.
Because someone is biologically/physiolgically ‘ill’, per se, does that excuse their criminal behavior?
Or should they be made to stand accountable for their actions anyway?
Where is the ‘justice’ for the innocent?
I think that is the real ultimate question here.
If these are truly ‘sick’, ‘insane’, psychopathic people,
do they not need and/or deserve to be cut from society and not allowed to continue wrecking their destruction?
When it comes right down to it, we ALL have to stand accountable for our actions, ‘sick’ or not.
Psychopaths have freedom of choice, just like we do.
It’s their choice making that puts them in hot water all the time. They have no ‘social skills’ in dealing with people.
They always choose the ugly choice instead of the decent one. To them that’s a rush.
I don’t think giving “The Joker” a death sentence is going to do anything but cost a lot of money and make him an ‘all time celebrity’.
I do think that leaving him rot in prison would be a good role model for the rest of the loonies on the path.
Dying is too easy.
I am sorry that there are sick people like this and I am sorry for them.
I am even SORRIER for the innocent people who have given up their lives and/or are still waiting for justice BECAUSE of these sick people. A lot of time their evil deeds just go un noticed and leaves peoples lives in total ruins which is never recognized and/or accounted for.
I am sorry for all the ‘victims’ still struggling to become ‘survivors’. Where are THEIR RIGHTS?
Somehow this all seems so wrong and out of balance.
Difficult to judge.
PPATHS are capable of more personas than one would conceive.
And each one is very convincing.
They are experts at what they do.
There is no ‘changing’ that.
All there is IS: getting it away from you and praying.
There is NO reasoning with the devil.
Dupey
Thank you, Donna and Truthspeak, for your kind words. Fortunately, I do not do direct patient care – I only heard second hand about the massacred victims making their way to my department while I was off for the weekend. I am about to call my boss to see if she’s okay – she was one of the ones who came in. It all seemed very removed for me until I heard the victims ended up at Children’s, even some of the adult victims. Our Section Chief was also called in, and I’m sure he is frazzled. I have had the honor of working with him for the past 2-3 years, and what a very fine person he is. Recently, I took up a collection for our office cleaning people who are from Peru, very elderly, and don’t speak English. He made it a point to give me $50 for them. My boss, the Director of Emergency Services, is a close personal friend of mine. I have known her for 10 years, and can say with complete certainty that there is no finer and more selfless human being. The doctor who worked on little Veronica has an office next to mine, and I’ve known her for 8 years. She is a kind, gentle, humble, and generous person. If I can convey anything to all of you here, it is that though there are some very bad people out there, please take heart that there are also some very good ones. While they were dealing with the massacre over the weekend, I was giving deep tissue massages to two more of my co-workers who were tied up in knots from the stress of their jobs in the Emergency Department. Both of them tipped me by quite a bit, even though neither of them have much surplus to spare. There are some really good people in the world. I believe they DO outnumber the spaths many times over. If you want to see an environment where the good people outnumber the bad by 1000 to 1, come to Children’s Hospital in Aurora, CO.
When the Columbine shooting happened in 1999, I was also one step removed. I was in massage school that day, and one of my classmates came from her waitressing job at a restaurant across the street from Columbine HS where she heard the gunshots. In this way, my whole class was shaken by that event.
In our quest to find some sort of meaning in these situations, we need to see if there were any patterns in the shooter’s history, any previous cries for help, etc. Sometimes there is just no way to know someone’s mind if they keep it hidden or if they suddenly snap. But sometimes there are signs. There was a shooting in a West VA synogogue several years ago. Apparently, the shooter had tried to have himself hospitalized prior to that but he was turned away (I think for insurance reasons?). We live in a culture where people are very isolated and alienated from one another, unlike many other cultures in the world. Many people are depressed, and the standard care for it is to pop pills. It’s easy for someone to get to a point of intense isolation and desperation without anyone ever knowing because everyone is so caught up in their busy lives. I hope the investigation reveals something about the shooter that we can learn something from, so we know how to look for signs. IMO it’s completely pointless at this point to throw the spath word around at him, and I would be very upset to see this situation reduced to that type of labeling here.
His mother was not surprised when the news reporters called her at home. Even before the police did. She is a therapist and she said, “you have the right person.”
She apparently expected something like this.
A mother knows.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/aurora-dark-knight-shooting-suspect-identified-james-holmes/story?id=16818889#.UAlT2zFrPat