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
FINAL OUTCOME
Life Imprisonment
Consistently denied parole for over 4 decades.
Died of natural causes at a state medical facility on August 18, 2022, age 75.
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