The Murder Case of Kenneth Parks

Conclusion of the Kenneth Parks Case

Works Cited

The Case's Impact on the Public

Works Cited Countinued

To conclude, the Kenneth Parks case shows the significance of understanding sleep disorders in a legal setting. This was exibited through the defense using facts of parasomnia and sleepwalking. The uncommon use of sleepwalking as a defense highlights the uniqueness of this case. The tightly thread relationship between forensics and psychology is what was able to prove Kenneth Parks as a free man and goes to show the power of combining the two specialties.

News, AP . “Sleep-Walking Man Acquitted in Slaying of Mother-In-Law.” AP NEWS, apnews.com/article/c7c3bc37038fdde048fd8e3caf3c84ee. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Mail, Toronto Globe and. “SLEEPWALKING CANADIAN WALKS on MURDER CHARGE.” Chicagotribune.com, 17 July 1988, www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-07-17-8801150511-story.html.

The Kenneth Parks Case brought public attention to how complicated sleep disorders can be and the impact they can have on an individual's behavior. It brought up discussions of how awareness of conditions like sleepwalking and parasomnia disorders can be beneficial in legal proceedings.

Clinic, Mayo. “Sleepwalking - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 21 July 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleepwalking/symptoms-causes/syc-20353506#:~:text=Sleepwalking%20%E2%80%94%20also%20known%20as%20somnambulism. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.

Thesis

Traits of Psychopathy Analysis

The case of Kenneth Parks shows a fascinating intersection between psychology and crime. This case explores the oddity of the sleepwalking defense being used in a murder trial, the role of forensic psychologists in these odd mental state cases, the motives for the murder, and the lack of psychopath traits that Parks presents.

Forensic Psychologists and experts on sleep disorders such as parasomnia found that Kenneth did not show any psychopathic traits. There was no found evidence that Kenneth fit the profile of a pscyhopath. When contrasted with pscyhopath's behaviors, Kenneth's behavior shows a lack of alignment with the characteristics of a pscyhopath. This lack of traits supported the defense's argument about his non-insane automatism during the murder and attempted murder.

Kenneth Parks:

The

Sleeping

Killer

By Phineas McCaslin

Role of Forensic Pschologist

Introduction to the Kenneth Parks Case

Forensic psychologists along with other experts investigated Kenneth’s mental state during the murder and attempted murder. The experts obtained evidence on the effects of parasomnia on behavior and shared those facts with the defense. The Forensic Psychologists looked thoroughly into the complexity of parasomnia disorders. They noticed how they can cause individuals to be unaware of any unusual behaviors or actions that occur in their sleep. Forensic psychologists highlighted how the nature of Kenneth’s parasomnia disorder caused him to involuntarily kill his mother-in-law and attempt to kill his father-in-law due to his sleepwalking. This information was an essential part of putting together the defense that led to Kenneth walking away free.

On May 24th, 1987, in Pickering, Ontario, a 23 year old Kenneth Parks attempted murder on his in-laws. Kenneth experienced a parasomnia episode and drove to their house and killed his mother-in-law and severely injured his father-in-law. After the incident, Kenneth confessed to the police and admitted to trying to murder his in-laws even though he did not have any recollection of the incident. This odd case led to various legal proceedings that brought large attention. Kenneth was tried with charges of murder and attempted murder. His attorney developed a defense strategy using the claim that he did not have control over his actions because he was in a sleepwalking state. Kenneth eventually pled not guilty to the murder of his mother-in-law and the attempted murder of his father-in-law and walked away a free man.

Motive for the Assualts

Case Details and The Outcome of The Trial

What is a Parasomnia Episode (Sleepwalking)

What is Noninsane Automatism

A parasomnia episode is defined as unusual sleep behaviors. For example, sleepwalking or strong vivid nightmares. The episodes can range from talking during sleep to more complicated activities. They are often a result of stress, sleep disruptions, or underlying health issues. To manage them, there are medications and therapies that can prevent these episodes from happening.

Kenneth had absolutely no memory about the incident. Due to his display of a lack of consciousness, there was no found or speculated motive behind the attack. Investigations were unable to reveal any planning prior to the assault or clear motive for Kenneth to want to commit such an awful crime on his in-laws. When compared to the usual motives behind murder cases, Kenneth’s absence of motive or premeditation shows he did not have any intent in committing these acts. These factors were greatly helpful in giving foundation to the defense that the parasomnia episode was the cause of the murder, not an intent to kill.

Non-insane automatism is a legal defense where a person claims that their actions were involuntary. They are saying they were lacking conscious control of their actions but not because of mental illness or insanity. It claims that outside influences are the cause of the unplanned actions. These conditions include things like sleepwalking and parasomnia disorders. This defense essentially states that an individual is not criminally responsible for their actions because they did not have control over their actions at the time.

During the attack, the weapon Kenneth used on his in-laws was a tire iron. Immediately after coming out of his parasomnia episode, Kenneth surrendered to the police about what he had done. Experts in sleepwalking and forensic psychology supported Kenneth’s claim of not being aware of his actions, also known as non-insane automatism.

Kenneth was not found guilty of murder and attempted murder. This is because the defense’s argument that his actions were not voluntary was able to persuade the jury of Kenneth’s innocence.