Charles Whitman Research Paper

Introduction

The purpose of this psychological autopsy is to expand upon the knowledge regarding the University of Texas, Austin Clocktower shooting by Charles J. Whitman. This examination aims to elaborate upon the details surrounding Charles J. Whitman’s shooting at the University of Texas, Austin and Whitman’s possible psychopathology. There are certain limitations regarding the examination of the incident. One limitation of the psychological autopsy is the amount of time that has passed since the shooting which occurred on August 1st, 1966. Due to the excessive amount of time following the event, certain avenues of inquiry cannot be explored. Interviews with Charles J. Whitman’s relatives cannot be conducted because many of Whitman’s family

members are deceased. Interviews with Whitman’s close friends and associates also cannot be conducted.
Another limitation of the study is regarding the unfortunate damage to Whitman’s brain which resulted from fatal gunshot wounds (Governor’s Committee, 1966). The damaged areas of the brain may have potentially revealed information relevant to the case. The psychological autopsy was completed by Patrick A. Foo of California State University, Fresno. Acknowledgement and gratitude is owed to Dr. Candice Skrapec of California State University, Fresno for the referral of this case.
Identifying Information
The decedent, Charles Joseph Whitman, was a 25-year-old white male whom resided at 906 Jewell Street Austin, Texas with his wife, Kathryn Whitman (Lavergne, 1997). Charles J. Whitman was born to Charles A. Whitman and Margaret Whitman on June 24th, 1941 (Lavergne, 1997). Charles had two younger siblings, John Michael Whitman and Patrick Whitman. Charles and his family identified religiously as Roman Catholic and were devout members of their faith (Lavergne, 1997).
Presenting Problem
Prior to the shooting at the University of Texas, Austin Clocktower, Charles J. Whitman murdered both his mother and wife (Governor’s Committee, 1966; Lavergne, 1997). Whitman’s series of mass murder began when Charles killed his mother, Margaret Whitman (Lavergne, 1997). Charles killed his mother with a fatal gunshot wound to the head and stab wound to the chest. (Governor’s Committee, 1966; Lavergne, 1997). Shortly following the murder of his mother, Charles penned a note claiming that the murder was motivated primarily by love and a desire for revenge (Lavergne, 1997). According to the note, Charles killed his mother because he wished to relieve her of the pain and suffering she experienced from her abuse ex-husband, Charles A. Whitman (Lavergne, 1997). According to Lavergne (1997), Charles attempted to damage his father by identifying him as the motivation for his actions.
Following the murder of his mother, Charles returned to his home at 906 Jewell Street and murdered his wife, Kathryn Whitman (Lavergne, 1997).

Whitman’s wife was fatally stabbed multiple times in the chest (Governor’s Committee, 1966). After murdering his mother and wife, Whitman journeyed to the 28th floor of the Clocktower with a footlocker containing an arsenal of weapons, 700 rounds of ammunition, and other items (Governor’s Committee, 1966; Dietz, 1986). According to Psychiatrist Park Dietz (1986), Charles J. Whitman is an archetypal example of a “pseudo-commando”. “Pseudo-commandos” are mass murderers who carefully plan their actions and exhibit an obsession with firearms (Dietz, 1986). On the 28th floor, Whitman murdered receptionist Edna Townley with blunt force trauma to the back of the head. Whitman then killed Mark Gabour and Margarite Lamport on stairwell between the 27th and 28th floors of the Clocktower. Whitman then fired down from the Clocktower onto unsuspecting members of the public. During Whitman’s rampage, civilians and police officers returned fire after slowly coming to the realization that there was a sniper (Lavergne,

1997).
Whitman was killed by Austin police officers Houston McCoy and Ramiro Martinez (Lavergne, 1997). Officer McCoy fired two shotgun shells into Whitman’s head, killing him (Lavergne, 1997). Following Whitman’s death, officer Martinez fired a third shotgun shell into Whitman’s left arm and chest (Lavergne, 1997). Civilians and police officers ceased firing upon the Clocktower following the announcement of Whitman’s death. Shortly after Whitman’s death, the wounded were treated, and the deceased were moved. Whitman’s corpse was transported to Cook’s Funeral Home (Lavergne, 1997). In total, Charles J. Whitman killed 16 people and injured 32 others (Governor’s Committee, 1966).
Victimology
Charles’ mother, Margaret Whitman, was killed by a fatal gunshot wound to the head and stab wound to the chest (Governor’s Committee, 1966; Lavergne, 1997). Kathryn Whitman, Charles Whitman’s wife, was killed after being fatally stabbed in the chest (Governor’s Committee, 1966). Edna Townley was employed as a receptionist on the 28th floor of the Clocktower at the University of Texas, Austin (Lavergne, 1997). Townley was brutally attacked and suffered from blunt force trauma to the head and a gunshot wound. Townley died at Seton Hospital (Lavergne, 1997).
Margarite Lamport and her nephew, Mark Gabour, were fatally shot with a shotgun by Whitman on the stairwell between the 27th and 28th floors of the Clocktower (Lavergne, 1997). Margarite Lamport was fatally shot in the chest and Mark Gabour was fatally shot in the head (Lavergne, 1997). Claire Wilson’s unborn baby was fatally shot in the head and Wilson’s boyfriend, Thomas Eckman, was fatally shot in the neck Whitman (Lavergne, 1997). Both Eckman and Wilson’s unborn child were killed instantly (Lavergne, 1997). Former University of Texas, Austin student, David Gunby, died November 12th, 2001 after stopping dialysis treatment (McLellan, 2001). After being shot in the abdomen, bullet fragments heavily damaged Gunby’s remaining kidney (Lavergne, 1997; McLellan, 2001).Dr. Robert Boyer was visiting professor at the University of Texas, Austin. Dr. Boyer was fatally shot in the lower back (Lavergne, 1997).
Thomas Ashton, a Peace Corps trainee from California, was fatally shot in chest. Ashton was pronounced dead at Brackenridge Hospital shortly after being shot (Lavergne, 1997). Seventeen-year-old high school student, Karen Griffith, was shot in the chest, heavily damaging her lungs. Griffith succumbed to her wounds at Brackenridge Hospital a week after her shooting (Lavergne, 1997). Veteran and University of Texas, Austin student, Thomas Karr, was shot in lower back. Karr died during surgery at Brackenridge Hospital (Lavergne, 1997). Police officer Billy Speed was fatally shot in the right shoulder. The bullet moved from Speed’s right shoulder and into his chest, mortally wounding him (Lavergne, 1997). Officer Speed was announced dead at Brackenridge Hospital (Lavergne, 1997).
Navy veteran and doctorate student Harry Walchuk died after being fatally shot in the chest (Lavergne, 1997). Couple Paul Sonntag and Claudia Rutt were shot while hiding behind a construction barricade (Lavergne, 1997). Paul Sonntag was instantly killed after being shot in the head (Lavergne, 1997). Claudia Rutt was shot in the chest and later died at Brackenridge Hospital (Lavergne, 1997). Electrician Roy Dell Schmidt was mortally wounded after being shot in the abdomen. Schmidt was announced dead after arriving at Brackenridge Hospital (Lavergne, 1997).
Past history of offender: historical background of decedent
Relationship Assessment
Charles J. Whitman and Katheryn Leissner began dating in February, 1962 and were married on August 7th, 1962 (Governor’s Committee, 1966). According to Lavergne (1997), Katheryn was scared of Charles, who was extremely temperamental. According to Lavergne (1997), Charles physically assaulted Katheryn on two separate occasions and verbally criticized her (Lavergne, 1997). According to Lavergne (1997), friends and close associates did not that the Whitman’s had relationship difficulties. Charles cared deeply for Katheryn but behaved inconsistently towards her (Governor’s Committee, 1966).
Use of Drugs
Whitman used the amphetamine, Dexedrine, to increase his focus and to aid him in the completion of his coursework (Governor’s Committee, 1966; Lavergne, 1997). According to Lavergne (1997), the side effects of Dexedrine include mood changes and increased anxiety. According to Lavergne (1997), a container containing several Dexedrine tablets was found on Whitman’s corpse. Toxicology reports showed no evidence of acute or chronic drug toxicity although, neither Whitman’s urine or stomach contents were tested because his body had already been embalmed at the time of the autopsy (Governor’s Committee, 1966; Lavergne, 1997).
Psychosocial stressors and Mood
Whitman was subject to immense stress which greatly affected his mood and temperament. Whitman apathetically approached his coursework and became self-deprecating his writings (Lavergne, 1997). Whitman was disheartened by the belief that he would never surpass his father in terms of wealth and began to despise his father for this reason. Charles’ obsession with financial independence caused significant pressure and assisted in the development of Whitman’s severe depression (Lavergne, 1997). According to Lavergne (1997), Whitman’s excessive course load and poor academic performance also caused immense stress and negatively affected his mood.
Medical history
According to the Governor’s Committee (1966), Whitman had an appendectomy at age 16. After enlisting in the Marine Corps, test results indicated no physical abnormalities or abnormal results (Governor’s Committee, 1966). While in the Marine Corps, Whitman and Larry Page were involved in a jeep accident (Governor’s Committee, 1966; Lavergne, 1997). After the accident, Whitman became unconscious for several hours and was hospitalized for a period of several days (Governor’s Committee, 1966; Lavergne, 1997). On October 7th, 1964, Whitman was attacked be several marines and required medical assistance for headaches (Lavergne, 1997). Whitman frequently complained about headaches and other physical ailments (Governor’s Committee, 1996).
Military history
According to the Governor’s Committee (1966), Charles J.

Whitman joined the Marine Corps after the passing of his 18th birthday. As a Marine, Whitman excelled in his training and was awarded the “sharp shooter” designation for demonstrating proficiency at long-range shooting (Lavergne, 1997). In September, 1961, Whitman was awarded the prestigious Naval Enlisted Science Education Program (NESEP) scholarship to study at the University of Texas, Austin (Governor’s Committee, 1966). Whitman’s scholarship in the NESEP program was repealed in February, 1963, and Whitman returned to the Marine Corps (Governor’s Committee, 1966). In July, 1963, Charles received the rank of Lance Corporal, but his rank was reduced to Private on February 7th, 1964, for illegally loaning money to fellow Marines (Governor’s Committee, 1966). Whitman was forced to serve 90 days of harm labor as a result of his court martial (Governor’s Committee, 1966; Lavergne, 1997). Charles J. Whitman was honorably discharge on December 4th, 1964 (Lavergne,

1997).