The Controversy Over Aileen Wuornos's Crimes

The debate over Aileen Wuornos’ jurisdiction is one that is still open due to how controversial the case is. What accounts a person as a criminal is a person who is well aware of the actions he/she is committing. A criminal has a clear intentions and is aware of the consequences ahead. Whereas, a victim is one who under astounding circumstances can be excused for their heinous actions. An in depth look into Aileen Wuornos’ life can lead to viewing her as a truly a criminal who is responsible for all of her crimes.
In explaining Aileen’s innocence, one would first take a look at her upbringing and childhood. From the moment of her birth, Aileen had a troubled upbringing in a dismantled home. Her mother left her and her brother, Keith, when

On several occasions, Aileen encountered severe beatings from her grandfather, Lauri. Lauri made evident that Aileen was worthless and unworthy of anything. Arrigo says, “… she was required to lay face down, naked, and spread eagle on the bed fro her whippings..” (Arrigo 383). Aileen experienced both emotional and physical abuse committed by her grandfather. Her grandmother failed to be the proper female figure Aileen desperately required. Britta was a soft-spoken, alcoholic who did little to prevent Aileen’s frequent abuses. Growing up in a troubled environment with little to no love and comfort from the rest of her family, besides her brother Keith, hindered Aileen’s ability to be able to establish normal healthy relationships with other people. Looking at Aileens genetics, her biological father, Leo Pittman, he had a history of poor grades, explosively temper, and engaged frequently in petty criminal behaviors. Arguing Nature vs. Nurture in Aileen’s case cannot be an exact strict defense in that it is spotty. Aileen was not the only child of Leo and Diane, her brother Keith also experienced all the

She seemed control and power over her victims. In the film Monster, Ailleen was then sent o have worn her victims clothes after murdering him and briefly taking on the role of that males identity. This gave Ailleen some sense of security in having dominance over the men she’d murder. Together with the need for power, a desire to make the headlines and draw the medias attention is another form of expression Aileen was desperately seeking. Aileen would keep up with media, and cut out newspaper clippings secretly storing them and “keep-up” with the media following her serial