ess . . . social and illness variables must be considered together' (1982: 280). The point Taylor makes is an important one: as well as considering a causal relationship between schizophrenia and violence, attention should also be paid to the similarities in social, environmental, and organic antecedents common to both violence and schizophrenia. More recent findings by the same researcher reinforce this point. From a survey of 121 psychotic offenders, Taylor concluded that `20% of the actively psychotic were directly driven to offend by their psychotic symptoms, and a further 26% probably so' (1985: 497). When social factors such as homelessness were considered along with the nature of the crime, so that `the direct and indirect consequences of psychosis are considered together, then over 80% of the offences of the psychotic were probably attributable to their illness' (1985: 497).From Patient to Mass MurdererLet it be known to the nations of earth and to the people that inhabit it, this document carries more power than any other written before. Such a tragedy as what has happen to us should not have happened and because of this action which I take on my own free will I am making it impossible f or it to occur again. For while I can be here I must guide and protect my dynasty. -Herbert W. Mullin, 1972The voices became louder and more persistent in October of 1972, and they sounded like Martin Mullin. The message was, "Why won't you give me anything? Go kill somebody-move!" Herb was living more and more in a delusional world that he shared with no one. He had long since abandoned his psychiatric treatment and medications, and his parents were finding it impossible to "reason with him."Herb's writings over the next several months were filled with references to Albert Einstein, charts and prayers relating to reincarnation of the "H.C. Baker Dynasty" (Herb's grandfather), birth rates, death rates, terms from seismology (like "thrust fault,...
