In “The Narcissistic Exoskeleton: The Defensive Organization of the Rage-Type Murderer,” author Duncan Cartwright argues that for those with borderline personality disorder, the “bad self” remains concealed behind the narcissistic exoskeleton. As a result, bad experience simply accumulates and remains unmodified and unarticulated. The separation between the external fantasy and internal reality as representation of idealized good objects and all-bad objects is important to maintain. People in this category are prone to violence that is catastrophically violent or homicidal. The coherent ego is maintained as long as the destructive and disturbed area of the personality remains split off.
Cartwright writes, “Hate and consequential fear are key factors that create an oversensitivity in violent individuals. In a transient form, this is not an uncommon experience for most of us. Prolonged hate, however, causes even greater sensitivity, and murder itself is seen as a fantasized end to these distressing emotions.” Also, the author contends, “[This type of murderer] posses a particular habitual kind of magical thinking that is supremely arrogant. Underneath this arrogance, however, these individuals often feel inferior and incompetent and are extremely passive. Violence or murder frees them from these disabling factors in the personality.… These individuals internalize a strong need to depend on the maternal object, conform, and succeed. However, due to their insecurities and confusion regarding their own identity and underlying hostility, they constantly fail. This tension sets up a cycle of personal failures that leads to escalating feelings of anger and rage. And then, the violent act is carried out followed by a superficial return to normality, but with no insight into the event.”
In discussing rage murders in those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, Cartwright says that offenders have poor impulse control, transient blurring of fantasy and reality, altered states of consciousness, shallow or blunted affect, and finally a violent and primitive fantasy life.
In the end, perhaps “it had to be done” in order for Morris to free himself from the guilt of not being able to protect his mother, as well as never living up to his own expectations of himself in every other area. There was a way out of all the responsibility of being a husband, a father, a son-in-law, a son and a brother. There was a way out of financial obligations and trying to make a living. There was a way out of all the hassles and pressures of life and family amid myriad temptations. Perhaps he envisioned the solution as living stress-free in a hospital for 10 years or so and focusing on what he said he always really wanted to do: Help others.
That part of his fantasy didn’t exactly happen according to plan. Instead, he shattered the lives of all who knew and loved him. We all have a million tiny choices to make every single day. Gabriel Morris made all the wrong choices.
www.crimescape.com
Photo Index/Credits
Robert Kennelly’s home in Bandon—Coos County District Attorney’s office
Robert Kennelly and Robin Anstey—Family photo
The Narrow Driveway—Police Evidence photo
Jesse, Robin and Gabe about 1984—Family photo, thanks to Scott Walsh
Jesse, Robin and Gabe in 2009—Family photo, thanks to Scott Walsh
Kalea, Gabe and Jessica—Family photo
A view to the balcony—Coos County District Attorney’s office
H&K .40 cal pistol—image by C E Bardsley
Getaway tire tracks—Coos County District Attorney’s office
Dumfries, VA Neighborhood Where Arrest Took Place—Photo by C E Bardsley
Gabriel Morris—Mug Shot
Jessica Morris—Mug Shot
District Attorney R. Paul Frasier—Coos County District Attorney’s office
Coos County Court House—Oregon Secy. Of State Website
Judge Martin Stone—Oregon Lawyer Directory
Bullet hole in leaf—Coos County District Attorney’s office
Robin Anstey—Family photo, thanks to Scott Walsh
Resources
Bandon Western World. “Robert William Bob Kennelly, Jr.” 25 February, 2010 http://www.bandonwesternworld.com/articles/2010/02/25/public_records/obituaries/doc4b85a50b2d60f787112458.txt
Boudreau, Damian “Frasier Takes Over as District Attorney.” The World [Bandon] 4 January, 2008.
Carmack, Laurie. Email to the author. 2 September, 2011.
Cartwright, Duncan. “The Narcissistic Exoskeleton: The Defensive Organization of the Rage-type Murderer.” Bulletin Of The Menninger Clinic 66.1 (2002): 1-18. MEDLINE with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 9 Sept. 2011.
Cartwright, Duncan. “The Role of Psychopathology and Personality in Rage-type homicide: A Review.” South African Journal of Psychology 31.3 (2001): 12. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 9 Sept. 2011.
Heide, Kathleen M. “Why Kids Kill Parents.” Psychology Today 25.5 (1992): 62. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 9 Sept. 2011.
Olsen, Hannah, “Psychologist Takes Stand in Gabriel Morris Trial.” http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Psychologist-takes-stand-in-Gabriel-Morris-murder/JIxgHN2BiUyJqNu4y5MBTw.cspx
Ross, Winston. “Morris Gets Life Sentence,” The Register-Guard [Eugene] 17 August, 2011.
—“Murder Suspect Returned to Oregon,” The Register-Guard [Eugene] 6 May, 2010: B1.
—“Promise and Tragedy,” The Register-Guard [Eugene] 14 March, 2010: A1.
—“Suspect Arrested in Bandon Couple’s Slaying,” The Register-Guard [Eugene] 23 February, 2010: A1.
—“Homicides Shake up Coos County,” The Register-Guard [Eugene] 13 April, 2011: B1.
Walsh, Scott. Personal interview. 25 August, 2011.
About the Author
Elizabeth Engstrom is the author of 13 books and more than 250 published short stories, articles and essays. Known as a writer of dark fantasy, her most recent book is York’s Moon, a critically acclaimed mystery. An author, teacher, editor and former publisher, she is a sought-after panelist, keynote speaker and instructor at writing conferences and conventions around the world. Since she completed her master’s degree in applied theology, she has begun a small interfaith ministry (www.love-and-mercy-ministries.com) and puts her pen to use for social justice. She is on faculty at the University of Phoenix.
www.elizabethengstrom.com
Books by Elizabeth Engstrom
When Darkness Loves Us
Black Ambrosia
Nightmare Flower
Lizzie Borden
Lizard Wine
The Alchemy of Love
Candyland
Suspicions
Black Leather
Word by Word (with John Tullius)
Imagination Fully Dilated (co-editor)
Imagination Fully Dilated vol. II (editor)
Dead on Demand (editor)
Pronto! Writings from Rome (editor, with John Tullius)
Ship’s Log: Writings at Sea (editor, with John Tullius)
Lies and Limericks (editor, with John Tullius)
The Northwoods Chronicles
York’s Moon
Something Happened to Grandma
Baggage Check
Something Happened to Grandma Page 5