Introduction
Violence is one of the forms of deviant behavior, unfortunately, promoted in and by the media. Media violence, in its different types, makes abnormal behavior more aggressive and transforming into criminal behavior. Today, even cartoons have the reflection (mostly hidden) of violence. One of the most vivid examples of TV’s influence is the story of serial killer Theodore Bundy. At least, in one of his interviews, he stated that the main reason for his behavior was the porn he used to watch as a teenager. It is impossible to assume that this was the only reason for this individual’s deviant behavior, entailing the horrible acts contrary to the dominant social norms. Sometimes the abnormal behavior in one society is not considered to be so in another. Nevertheless, in Bundy’s case, there is no society capable of justifying his crimes.
Bundy’s Deviant Behavior
Theodor Bundy remains one of the worst serial killers in the world. According to his own confesses, he murdered not less than 36 girls and women (Finn, 2020). Nevertheless, the police insisted that the number of deaths Bundy was responsible for is over 100 (Finn, 2020). Bundy used to spend a night with his victim and come back for having sexual intercourse with her dead body until it was eaten by animals or became decomposed. In some cases, the killer ate parts of his victim’s flesh as a sign of fully possessing her. Simultaneously, he had strong relationships with Liz Kloepfer as, along with significant cruelty, he still needed normalcy (Finn, 2020). Bundy’s life was compartmentalized, and his girlfriend believed that she was living with the prince. Later she confessed that for her, Bundy was a loving and caring boyfriend, whereas, for her daughter, he became a good surrogate father.
The Society’s Reaction
The paradox is that although society was shocked and terrified with the periodically committed murders, no one except his girlfriend would ever suppose that Bundy could be part of that. Even after Kloepfer passed his name to the police, the officers did not assume that a man as upstanding as Bundy might be responsible (Finn, 2020). After he was finally imprisoned, the whole country had a chance to witness the deviant behavior of the charming maniac during the trials. Many people proceeded to believe that he is innocent, including the vast majority of the jury. Bundy represented himself during the trial and even took a chance to marry Carole Ann Boone – a woman who defended him. The behavior of his wife might be considered deviant as well. She gave birth to Bundy’s child in 1982, despite the existing evidence for biological and genetic correlates of criminality (Sirgiovanni, 2017). Therefore, her decision goes against the generally accepted norms of American society.
An Outcome of the Case
Bundy’s murders took place during the 1970s and were finally halted by his girlfriend, providing the police with his name. It is noteworthy that Liz stayed with Bundy even after this. This fact is one of the strangest reactions possible to his deviant behavior. Moreover, most of his victims were not concerned during the acquaintance with him as the killer was nice-looking and well-dressed, so it was hard to recognize a ruthless criminal in him. According to James (2019), “Bundy was adept at hiding his “true” self as a murderer from everyone in his life but was a master at manipulating others to only see his virtual identities of a law student, boyfriend, son, and “nice, normal guy” (p. 46). In other words, his handsome and friendly façade made the public to be drawn to him.
Conclusion
On February 8, 1980, the jury finally recommended Bundy be executed. He was electrocuted in Florida on January 24, 1989. This man described himself as the most heartless individual that could be ever met. Hence, the deviant behavior of this person and the positive reaction of the public to her for an extended period remains one of the most phenomenal mysteries until today. In particular, the ability of one person to be simultaneously a bloodthirsty beast and a loving man.
References
Finn, N. (2020). Inside the horrific legacy of serial killer Ted Bundy. Enews.
James, V. (2019). Denying the darkness: exploring the discourses of neutralization of Bundy, Gacy, and Dahmer. Societies, 9(2), 46.
Sirgiovanni, E. (2017). Criminal heredity: the influence of Cesare Lombroso’s concept of the “born criminal” on contemporary neurogenetics and its forensic applications. Journal of History of Medicine, 29(1), 165-188.