Infographic: The Herbert Mullin Case

The Mullin Case

A Study in Schizophrenia & Mass Murder

† PROFILE †

Herbert Mullin

Born: April 18, 1947

Diagnosis: Paranoid Schizophrenia
Crimes: 13 murders in 4 months (1972-1973)
Status: Died in prison (2022)

† DELUSIONAL MOTIVE †

Mullin believed his father telepathically commanded him to commit human sacrifices to prevent a catastrophic earthquake in California.

Descent into Psychosis

Pivotal Trauma

The death of his friend Dean Richardson in 1965 is seen as a major psychological trigger, precipitating his latent illness.

Substance Abuse

Experimentation with LSD and Cannabis likely accelerated and exacerbated his schizophrenic symptoms, deepening paranoia and hallucinations.

Systemic Failure

Repeatedly discharged from mental health facilities despite severe symptoms, highlighting challenges in managing his illness due to anosognosia (no insight into his condition).

The 13 Victims

#	Name	Age	Date	Method
1	Lawrence White	55	Oct 13, 1972	Bludgeoned
2	Mary Guilfoyle	24	Oct 24, 1972	Stabbed/Dissected
3	Fr. Henri Tomei	64	Nov 2, 1972	Stabbed in Confessional
4	Jim Gianera	25	Jan 25, 1973	Shot/Stabbed
5	Joan Gianera	21	Jan 25, 1973	Shot/Stabbed
6	Kathy Francis	29	Jan 25, 1973	Shot/Stabbed
7	Daemon Francis	4	Jan 25, 1973	Shot/Stabbed
8	David Hughes	9	Jan 25, 1973	Shot/Stabbed
9	David Oliker	18	Feb 10, 1973	Shot while camping
10	Robert Spector	18	Feb 10, 1973	Shot while camping
11	Brian Card	19	Feb 10, 1973	Shot while camping
12	Mark Dreibelbis	15	Feb 10, 1973	Shot while camping
13	Fred Perez	72	Feb 13, 1973	Shot; led to arrest

† ARREST & CONFESSION †

Arrested on Feb 13, 1973, after a witness reported his license plate. Mullin calmly confessed to all 13 murders, explaining his earthquake delusions to police.

† THE VERDICT †

Despite his clear psychosis, he pleaded Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. The jury rejected the plea based on the M’Naghten Rule, which focuses on cognitive awareness of right and wrong.

Found Guilty & Legally Sane