Criminology Case: The Case of Lorena Bobbit

Some murders are committed under the influence of a psychotic state, possibly influenced by a disorder such as schizophrenia, and sometimes as a response to situational factors, such as domestic abuse.

This blog explores a case from 1993, in which a jury found Lorena Bobbitt to be 'not guilty by reason of insanity' (NGRI) after she severely injured her husband.

In Manassas, Virginia, USA in June of 1993, Lorena Bobbit, after enduring years of domestic violence at the hands of her husband, took a knife and removed her husband’s penis when she finally snapped at the long-term abuse and control she had experienced.

After finding a knife in the kitchen sink, Lorena returned to the bedroom. Her husband was still very intoxicated after an evening of drinking alcohol with friends, so his realisation of what was happening was delayed. By the time he woke up and summoned a friend for help, Lorena had left in her car, taking his genitals with her, and driving to the salon she worked at. During the drive, she threw the severed genitals out of the car window and into a field. Police were able to locate the appendage in the field a little later, and it was then brought to the hospital. After a nine-and-a-half-hour surgery, it was re-attached.

Lorena was arrested for this crime, and charged with ‘malicious wounding’. If Lorena was found guilty, she would be sentenced to 20 years in prison. However, the jury found Lorena 'Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity'.

According to Psychology Today: “NGRI is a legal defence. It addresses mental status at the time of the alleged crime. Competency to stand trial has to do with a person’s present mental status at the time that person returns to court. Anyone who commits a crime can meet the standard of mental illness (following state law). Not everyone meets the standard of NGRI just because they have a mental illness.”

Following the court’s decision, Lorena was sent to a psychiatric ward for 45 days. Upon her release, she was deemed not a threat to herself or society. Lorena divorced her husband and in 2007 she started Lorena’s Red Wagon Foundation, a non-profit organisation that helps domestic abuse survivors.

This case can be useful when discussing types of individual crime in Unit 1, alongside media representations of crime (this case has become popular culture and was widely covered in the media at the time). Additionally, the influence of the jury is of great interest here. Discussion of bias, circumstances, and just verdicts can prompt some relevant and engaging classroom debate for the Unit 3 topic, From crime scene to courtroom. And perhaps most interestingly, the aims and forms of punishment, including retribution can form thought-provoking class activities and discussions amongst students around this iconic and unique case which captured significant public interest at the time.

Sources:

https://www.psychologytoday.co...

https://www.refinery29.com/en-...

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/0...