Question

"I think most humans have in them the capacity to commit murder.” –Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker)

Above you will find a quote from Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker). Each week, we’ll explore a quote from the serial killer we studied, we’ll summarize their crime, apply theory, and review their punishments.   For this discussion, please answer each of the prompts:

•   What does the quote mean to you? Does it give us insight into their mindset?
•   Summarize the crimes of this serial killer.
•   What was their motivation? Why do you think they did this?
•   What was the punishment?
•   In at least one sentence, apply one of the following theories to the crime -or- to the punishment: Rational Choice, Routine Activities, General Deterrence

Answer 1

1. This quote reflects an assumption that committing murder is an instinctive tendency that more or less all members of our species possess. This statement normalizes the act of murder by supposing that a majority of us are capable of it.

2. Over a period of 14 months, Richard Ramirez, also known as the "Night Stalker," killed 13 people and attempted to kill five more and assaulted countless others. On top of his physical crimes, he was guilty of burglary, and petty theft. Though his murders only spanned a year, his life of crime began when he was just 13 years old.

3. Richard's past history transformed him into a serial killer. He was often subjected to abuse by his father. He even sustained two serious head injuries, after which he experienced frequent epileptic seizures. He then began to hang out with his older cousin, Miguel, who developed a habit of torturing women as a Vietnam veteran and often showed Ramirez photos of the horrors he had inflicted on them. Later, Miguel would fatally shoot his own wife, in full view of the 13-year-old Richard. The shooting turned him from a scared, abused young boy into a hardened, sullen man. He began using LSD and cultivating his interest in Satanism, which he practiced throughout his life.

4. After his arrest, Richard Ramirez was convicted of all charges, including 13 counts of murder, five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults, and 14 burglaries. He was sentenced to death by gas chamber, and imprisoned to wait out the rest of his days.

Please post the other questions separately as we are supposed to answer just one question or four subparts of a question.