Most Evil Season 2 Episode 3 Delusional

In this episode of Most Evil, titled Delusional, forensic psychologist Dr. Michael Stone takes a closer look at killers who suffer from delusional thinking. Delusions are false beliefs that are firmly held despite evidence to the contrary, and they can be a contributing factor in many homicides.

Dr. Stone begins by examining the case of Scott Panetti, a man who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and believed that he was being controlled by Satan, and that his wife and children were demons. In 1992, Panetti dressed up in a cowboy outfit and used a shotgun to kill his in-laws in front of his wife and young daughter. He then held the two women hostage for several hours before surrendering to police. Despite being found guilty, Panetti's attorneys argued that he was too mentally ill to be put to death, and he ultimately spent over 20 years on death row before receiving a reprieve in 2015.

Next, Dr. Stone looks at the case of David Berkowitz, also known as the Son of Sam. Berkowitz believed that a demonic dog was giving him orders to kill, and he targeted young women in New York City in the late 1970s. He was eventually caught and confessed to his crimes, but Dr. Stone wonders if his delusions may have been a factor in his actions.

Dr. Stone also examines the case of John Hinckley Jr., who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Hinckley was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster and believed that if he killed the president, he would win her affection. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent over 30 years in a mental institution before being released in 2016.

The episode also features the case of Andrea Yates, a mother who drowned her five children in a bathtub in 2001. Yates had been suffering from postpartum depression and psychosis, and believed that Satan was inside her and was trying to harm her children. Dr. Stone discusses the difficult legal and ethical questions surrounding the case, including whether or not Yates should have been found guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Stone reflects on the challenges of treating and understanding individuals who suffer from delusions. He notes that while some may argue that these individuals are not responsible for their actions due to their mental illness, others may argue that they still need to be held accountable for the harm they have caused. The episode raises important questions about the intersection of mental illness and criminal behavior, and how society can best respond to those who are struggling with delusional thinking.

Overall, Most Evil season 2 episode 3 provides a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between delusions and homicide. With compelling case studies and expert analysis, the episode sheds light on an important and often misunderstood topic in forensic psychology.