HENRY LEE LUCAS An American Serial Killer

BACKGROUND  Born August 23, Death March 12, 2001 (Blacksburg, Virginia)  Lost an eye at age ten from brother knifing him.  Bullied by peers for his eye-glass wear and his style of crossdressing.  From that he had mass social rejection which caused his hatred of people.  Lucas's mother was a prostitue and made him watch her sexual acts.  In 6th grade his father died of hyperthermia. Father was drunk and collapsed during a blizzard.  After father's death he dropped out of school and ran away. Traveled throughout Virginia.

 many counts of burglary and prison time, confessed to first murder but retracted it like future accounts.  1959 set to marry a pen pal friend but mother disapproved and said to return home with her.  January 11, 1960 killed mother of argument with living situations. Served ten years and released early due to prison overcrowding.  1971 he attempted to kidnap three schoolgirls and later served five years.  Married family friend after the five year sentence was up.  Lucas left her two years later after stepdaughter reported sexual abuse.  Become a drifter and moved throughout from Florida to California wears rest of crimes take place.

CrimeDateVictim(s)Punishment Counts of burglary Escaped prison(1957) June 10, Sep 2, 1959Unknown but in Richmond, Virginia area 5 years in prison 2nd degree murderJan 11, 1960Mother (Viola Lucas)20 to 40 imprisonment in Michigan. Served 10 because prison overcrowding Attempted kidnapping1971Three schoolgirls5 year sentence Unlawful possession of firearm June 1983NoneLed to confession of murding two people Murders - Confessed to Rich and Powell as well as other murders Months before June 1983Kate Rich and Frieda Powell (confirmed) Held in prison whole time while confessing murders Confession to other numerous murders November 1983Unknown (Highest number 3,000 confessed murders) Received trips to supposed victims crime scenes

 Evidence: A single bone fragment recovered from a wood- burning stove was said to be Rich's, and a mostly-complete skeleton roughly matched Powell's age and size, but Shelladay reports that the coroner stopped short of positively identifying either remains. As with most of his alleged crimes, Lucas has confessed to these murders only to later deny involvement, but the general consensus seems to be that Lucas did indeed murder Powell and Rich.  Sentence: Henry Lee Lucas was commuted to life in prison by Governor George W. Bush in Lee died in prison on March 12, 2001 from heart failure at the age of 64. Life in prison - Life imprisonment (also known as a lifesentence, lifelong incarceration or lifeincarceration) is any sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in prison for the rest of his or her life or until paroled.

QUOTES  "I hated all my life. I hated everybody. When I first grew up and can remember, I was dressed as a girl by my mother. And I stayed that way for 2 or 3 years. And after that I was treated like what I call the dog of the family. I was beaten. I was made to do things that no human bein' would want to do."  "Killing someone is just like walking outdoors. If I wanted a victim, I'd go and get one"  "When they put me out on parole, I said I'm not ready to go. I told them all, the warden, the psychologist, everybody, that I was going to kill" (When he was released from Ionia State Hospital after 10 years for murder).  "Once I've done it, I just forget it." (When asked exactly how many he had killed)

NICKNAMES AND APPERENCE The Deadly Drifter, The Confession Killer

CULTURAL REFERENCES  Books; Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, CONFESSIONS OF HENRY LEE LUCAS

MOVIES  Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas (2009 )  USA - Released Beverly Hills Film Festival (April 1, 2009) DVD (September 1, 2009) 

THEORY  The theory that best fits Henry Lee Lucas is the behavioral theory. I find this the best fit because of his past with his family and peers. Behavioral theory is defined as people are not born with violent disposition but rather they learn to think and act violently as a result from their day-to-day experiences. Lucas lived a rough background losing his father in sixth grade. Lucas also went through bullying at a young age due to the loss of his eye. His mother was a prostitute and had many bad effects on him from her. These events definitely had negative effects on Lucas's life teaching him ba may be rewarded with good. This bad start would push Lucas on a path of crime his whole life from murder to burglary. Gaining him fame for being one of America's worst serial killers. The behavioral theory can dissect why he went the path that he did. This theory is common for many criminals with similar acts as Lucas. It makes you wonder if he had a different beginning would we be looking at a killer.