For years Illinois has studied the story of John Wayne Gacy and the crime he had committed. The well liked, religious and respected man was responsible for killing numerous children. Recently, Illinois saw another psychopath come out into the open, Drew Peterson. In 2012, Peterson was arrested and convicted of murder in the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio and the disappearance (later to be confirmed a murder) of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. Peterson’s story reveals that this is the fourth wife he killed. All of them young females about half his age that he would abuse and control once he got them to marry him. Recently, between 2013-2014, Peterson hired a hit man to murder Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow.
The Washington Post article, “Drew Peterson charged with plotting to kill prosecutor while imprisoned for murdering third wife,” states that during interviews and when asked about the murders he has committed, Peterson declares innocence and seems “unfazed” by the murders. Fallon’s book, The psychopath inside: A neuroscientist's personal journey into the dark side of the brain, puts light on the emotional aspects of psychopaths. Fallon’s research reveals that psychopaths do not feel guilty for the crimes they commit and feel like it was not them committing those crimes. They have issues expressing emotions such as love, care, guilt or sadness. Their whole life becomes about them. Fallon in his book also states that psychopaths are good with people, they are well liked and accepted by society. This relates to Peterson. He was able to get away with the murders he committed because of his position in society. He was a well liked police officer in the south suburbs of Chicago. Nobody could have imagined him being responsible for a crime such as murder. Fallon demonstrates the characteristics of psychopaths dating back to the 1800’s, however, even now psychopaths contain these characteristics.
Closer examination of Peterson's life reveals that he never had the "parental support" growing up. Fallon might have the brain of a psychopath but the love and care that his family gave him, kept him from allowing the warrior genes in him to lead to serious aggression problems. Peterson knew how to change his actions in public for them to be socially acceptable and how to change his wife to make her feel guilty. He was able to manipulate people into getting what he wanted, a common characteristic of psychopaths. Fallon shows that a psychopathic brain does not always mean psychopathic actions. However, in Peterson's case, the love for control and his other psychopathic characteristics lead him to commit crimes without any guilt.
Sources:
Fallon, J. (2014). The Psychopath Inside: A Neuroscientist's Personal Journey into the Dark Side of the Brain. Penguin Group.
Phillip, Abby. "Drew Peterson Charged with Plotting to Kill Prosecutor While Imprisoned for Murdering Third Wife." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2015. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.
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