Crime Causation Essay Case Study: Richard Ramirez Adriana Owens El Camino College AJ 100 Spring 2015

Born in El Paso Texas on February 28, 1960 Richard Ramirez, AKA the Night Stalker terrorized the city of Los Angeles during a two year period committing multiple murders, sexual assaults, and burglaries. This case study of Ramirez focuses on the possible motives and factors that may have contributed to his brutal crimes. Ramirez was convicted for 13 murders, five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults, and 14 burglaries. He was known to engage in satanic rituals and showed no empathy for the victims he demonically murdered. This case study will examine three possible reasons that may have influenced such behavior using the social process theory, social disorganization theory, and rational choice theory. Crime Causation Theory The Social Process Theory Ramirez childhood was spent In El Paso Texas with his family where he experienced constant physical abuse from his father. At the age of twelve Ramirez became heavily influenced by his older cousin Miguel “Mike” Ramirez. Ramirez viewed his cousin as somewhat of a role model and had been exposed to extremely violent events at a very early age. Mike introduced Ramirez to graphic images, stories of rape and murders he committed during his time as a U.S Army Green Beret in the Vietnam War. He taught Ramirez how to kill with certainty, which ultimately led to his fascination with murders and sexual assaults. One night Ramirez witnessed his cousin mike shoot his wife in the face at point blank range (Botelho, G, 2013). The