Bobby's School of Criminology Episode 11 - Charles Starkweather

bobbythebrony Charles Starkweather is one of the most infamous spree killers in American history and probably the most notorious killer in Nebraskan history. Over a period of two months, he murdered 11 people and two dogs in Nebraska and Wyoming. No one knows what was going through his mind at the time, but what made him snap. Let's find out.

Charles Raymond Starkweather was born November 24, 1938 in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was the third of seven children to Guy and Helen Starkweather. His father was unemployed due to arthritis and his mother was a waitress. Charles was born with a birth defect known as Genu Varum and suffered from a speech impediment. This caused him to be bullied in school. He used his rage to become more physical and bully those who bullied him. His rage soon extended to anyone he hated. He became one of the most violent teenagers in his community.

In 1956, the 18 year old Starkweather began to date a 13 year old girl named Caril Ann Fugate. After dropping out of high school, he started working at a newspaper warehouse near Caril's school. He was a poor worker and was considered dumb by his boss. After Fugate crashed his car during a driving lesson, he got into an argument with his father and was kicked out of the house. He then quit his job and became a trash man. His nihilism soon progressed and he begin planning crimes and developed his own philosophy.

On November 30, 1957, He killed a gas station attendant named Robert Colvert with a shotgun after an altercation about a stuffed animal. This was his first murder. He confessed this crime to Fugate. On January 21, 1958, he killed Fugate's parents and younger sister. They spent a week in the house before going on the run. He then killed an elderly man and his dog. Starkweather's car became stuck in the mud and they were picked up by two teenagers whom they killed. They then killed a married couple and their maid before robbing the house. They drove west into Wyoming and killed a man for his car. This was his last kill. When he couldn't start the car, a man stopped to help and Starkweather attacked him. A cop then came by and Fugate ran to him. After a car chase, Starkweather was arrested on January 29, 1958.

Starkweather went to trial and tried to place the blame on Fugate. After changing his story several times, he admitted his guilt and that Fugate was a willing participant. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. Fugate was sentenced to life. On June 25, 1959, Starkweather died in the electric chair. Fugate was paroled in 1976 after serving 17 years.

So what can we learn from this case? This is a prime example of what the effects of bullying has on certain people. When someone is severely tormented, it can result in an intense rage that could lead to something like this. Remember everyone, bullying leaves a lasting mark on an individual and it could be the last thing you ever do. Anyway, thank you for reading and I'll see you next time.

Next Lesson - William Bonin

Comments

Nice episode about bullying - FerrariDude64 (4/14/2016)

Thank ja - bobbythebrony (4/14/2016)

Ja welcome - FerrariDude64 (4/15/2016)

Ja no it - bobbythebrony (4/15/2016)