Transcript Starkweather Case Study

Starkweather Case Study
Purpose of Case Study Project
• Personal Role
▫ Present-day jury member
• Objective
▫ Research the Starkweather
case through multiple
sources
▫ Attempt to understand the
individuals involved and the
actions that took place
▫ Explain whether or not the
suspects deserved what was
handed down by the judge
and jury
▫ Analyze whether or not this
case, if heard again today,
would have a different
outcome
Charles Starkweather & Caril Fugate
• Basic Information/Personal Biography
▫ Who
▫ What
▫ When
▫ Where
▫ Why/How
• The Victims
▫ Name of Victim
▫ What happened
▫ Who supposedly did it
• The Trial Process
▫ What were the convictions
▫ What was the defense for each of
the convicted
▫ Explain the actions of the
prosecution
▫ What was the verdict
• Punishment
▫ What was the sentencing and why
Charles Starkweather
Victims
Trial
Punishment
Caril Fugate
Starkweather Partner Questions
On a new page in your Starkweather Case Study Project, Label the section as
Write down each question in your notebook
Answer each question in complete sentences in your own notebook
1.
How old was Charles Starkweather when he dropped out of high school? Why do you
think he decided to quit his education?
2.
What was family life like for Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate? Did both individuals
have support at home or around the community (neighbors, extended family, school,
friends, etc.) Explain their relationship(s) with the individuals that supported them.
3.
How did members of the community describe Charles Starkweather demenor/behavior
as a child and teenager?
4.
What job(s) did Starkweather have? How did his employers describe his work ethic?
Does the previous answer contribute to why Starkweather might have had multiple jobs?
5.
How did Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate meet? What drew them to each other?
Was there anything peculiar/unusual about their relationship? If so, what? If not, why?
6.
Did any of the murders during the spree seem similar in manner? If so, which ones and
how were they similar? If not, which ones and how were they different?
Caril Fugate’s Story (During Trial)
Caril Fugate’s Story (Post Trial – Present)
Caril’s Explaination (Then)
Caril’s Explaination (Now)
What Other’s Think
Caril Fugate Partner Questions
On a new page in your Starkweather Case Study Project, Label the section as
Write down each question in your notebook
Answer each question in complete sentences in your own notebook
1.
Why do you think Caril got involved with Charles Starkweather? Do you believe that Caril broke
off their relationship just a few days prior to the killing spree? Explain why or why not.
2.
What was Caril’s home life like and did she have a strong family support system? Why did Caril’s
mom and step-dad not like Charlie, and would this have led to Caril breaking up with Charlie?
Why or why not.
3.
Caril maintains that she believed that her family was still alive but in danger during the killing
spree. Do you think that Caril told the truth or created a lie to protect herself? Explain your
reasoning behind the answer.
4.
Do you believe that Caril was mentally and physically capable of doing what Starkweather
accused her of during their murder trials? Explain.
5.
Caril says that she was a hostage of Starkweather, and was unable to getaway from the
situation. Do you believe this story is creditable/reliable? What information would make her
story true or false.
6.
After being arrested, both Caril and Charlie were held in separate areas and not aloud to see or
speak to one another. Both gave different stories as to what happened during the killing spree.
Of the two, which story is more creditable/reliable, Charlie’s or Caril’s? Or do you think that
both are flawed? Explain your answer.
7.
Was there anything suspicious about Caril’s actions/reactions that we know of from trial
testimony over the killing spree, Starkweather’s trial, and her own trial? If so, what seemed odd
or out of place.
Characteristics of a Serial Killer
Characteristics of Starkweather
Characteristics of a Psychopath
Serial Killer/Psychopath Questions
On a new page in your Starkweather Case Study Project, Label the section as
Write down each question in your notebook
Answer each question in complete sentences in your own notebook
1.
What characteristics did Charles Starkweather have that could identify with characteristics of
serial killers and psychopaths?
2.
What characteristics did Charles Starkweather have that do not identify with characteristics of
serial killers and psychopaths?
3.
Of the characteristics used to explain serial killers and psychopaths, which characteristic(s) did
Starkweather closely align with? Give examples to back your answer.
4.
Based off of your research, which would Charles Starkweather be classified as, a serial killer or a
psychopath? Explain your answer.
5.
Is there anything unique to the Starkweather case that would not allow him to be truly
generalize as either a serial killer or a psychopath?
6.
Do you believe that Starkweather was a “natural-born” killer? Explain why. If not, explain how
you would personally describe him.
7.
Where does Caril Fugate fit in to the killing spree? From the information that you have read, is
she a serial killer, psychopath, or a “natural-born “ killer? Or was she truly just another victim of
Starkweather as a hostage? Why or why not? Explain.