The Boston Strangler

Dr. Robey knew, of course, that DeSalvo said he had faked his hallucinations, because he thought he would be sent to Bridgewater and be released soon after. Dr. Robey repeated his conviction that Albert had not been faking.

a mark of mental health was the ability to repress our knowledge of the world’s cruelty, to be able to live in peace though surrounded on all sides by horror, cruelty, and violent death.

overtly paranoid and indulge in an outburst,” Dr. Robey said. He might also become violent. Under Conn’s questioning, he went on to say that he considered DeSalvo a “compulsive confessor.” He added, “He has a real need, because of his underlying illness, to prove to himself and to others his own importance

when he appeared to be almost very much what we refer to as in a homosexual panic, or sexual panic of some sort.”
At this DeSalvo reddened and shook his head emphatically.
How would DeSalvo act under stress of a trial, Conn asked.
“He could become more

consider him competent to stand trial.” He had seen DeSalvo at Bridgewater, he said, “vacillate back and forth, sometimes appearing strictly sociopathic; at other times almost like an acute anxiety hysteric; at other times appearing much more obsessive and compulsive; again appearing very close to wild overt psychosis

My opinion is that I cannot—repeat—cannot

The man suffered from “schizophrenic reaction, chronic undifferentiated type”—a type that “also has very extensive signs of sexual deviation.”

But he was fluid, everything poured out of him, nothing appeared repressed or held back

This fellow got nothing from his family—no sense of status. He wanted desperately to be somebody. That would explain his imposture as the Strangler. Clifford thought, If Albert had struck me as a bottled-up guy—well, that would make it easier to believe he’s the man.

think I have a fairly decent attitude towards this whole thing. I still think I can make a contribution. Many people have died for a good cause. I think these people may not have died in vain.”