“I am a serial killer. I would kill again”. Aileen Wuornos “Lee” “I robbed them, and I killed them as cold as ice, and I would do it again, and I know I would kill another person because I’ve hated humans for a long time”.

Background: Father was convicted of molestation after her birth and a few years later killed himself in prison. Wuornos’ mother abandoned her and her brother when they were young, leaving them with her parents, and their children. Childhood friends say that Wuornos’ grandfather beat her and her grandmother was an alcoholic. At age 11, Wuornos began trading sexual favors for money, beer, and cigarettes. She had her only child at age 14; neighbors claimed the father was an older adult friend of Wuornos’ grandfather. She was 14 when her family kicked her out of her house. In the early 1980s, Wuornos moved to Florida to work as a prostitute. By 1991 her record included (among other felonies and misdemeanors) arrests for illegal possession of a firearm, forgery, angered assault, and robbery. Her associates and law enforcement personnel often described her as erratic and easily angered.

Crimes Accused on Committing: Illegal possession of a firearm Forgery Assault Robbery Murder

Most recent crime (November 19, 1990) Murder of Walter Jeno Antonio Weopon: .22 pistol caliber

Evidence Brought Against Criminal: In 1986 Wuornos met Tyria Moore at a bar in Daytona Beach, Florida, and they began an intense romantic relationship that ended just before Wuornos’ final arrest in 1991. Wuornos’ relationship with Moore was her second relationship with a woman. As a prostitute, her clients were mainly middle-aged, low-to- middle-class white men. Together, Wuornos and Tyria Moore sold stolen items at Florida pawnshops. During the murder investigations, Volusia County police discovered items belonging to Richard Mallory at a local pawnshop, with a receipt showing Wuornos’ thumbprint.   Police then traced other stolen items from Mallory to Wuornos. A camera from Mallory's automobile was found inside a rented warehouse unit, which was opened with a key taken from Wuornos. Wuornos had rented the unit under an alias. Police traced other items from Mallory's car to people or pawnshops Wuornos had contacted. By 1990 Tyria Moore had become suspicious – if not fully aware – of Wuornos’ activities.  Moore moved in with her family in Pennsylvania. When Wuornos was arrested on an outstanding warrant at a biker bar in Harbor Oaks, Florida, police tracked Moore down and used her to elicit a confession from Wuornos.

More Evidence: The evidence of the fingerprints is consider transfer and intrinsic evidence.  The fingerprints that were left from Aileen Wuornos  was a transfer of oil from her finger onto the receipt. The fingerprints can also be classified as intrinsic evidence because the fingerprints are not considered a crime because the prints are on a receipt for stolen items that correspond to a murder. The prints then become incriminating. To collect the fingerprints forensics scientists used fingerprint powder and tape. They first dusted the receipt for a print using the electromagnetic fingerprint powder. The forensic scientist then would get a piece of tape and place it over the print really hard & lift up and have a perfect print. The piece of tape would then be put on a piece of paper and sealed in an evidence bag. Then they would use a high-powered magnify- glass to get a clear picture of the print. To analyze this print a person look for different minute details called minutiae such as a whorl, loop, or arch. Also police found in Aileen's possession that she had a .22 pistol caliber that she used to kill all seven of her victims. Police questioned this evidence because the size of the gun is not commonly used in self -defense or a cold blooded murder.  

Sentence: January 31, 1992: Wuornos received the death sentence. STARKE,Fla.- Prison officials in Florida executed convicted serial killer Aileen Wuornos October 9, 2002. “I'd just like to say I'm sailing with the rock, and I'll be back like Independence Day, with Jesus June 6. Like the movie, big mother ship and all, I'll be back”. -Aileen’s final words-

Theory that explains her deviant behavior: Anomie Con’t: Most common in lower class people Adapt to gap between cultural goals and means to reach these goals by breaking the law. Turn to illegal means to achieve goals This theory explains Aileen’s deviant behavior because she was part of the lower class since she didn’t have much money to begin with and then was kicked out of her house at age 14. Additionally, she turned to illegal means to achieve her goals (for example, getting money) by engaging in illegal actions of prostitution.

Cultural References: Books: Dear Dawn: Aileen Wuornos in Her Own Words Monster: My True Story Lethal Intent Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer Monster Movies: Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer (Documentary) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKYcmc2UE3o