Criminal Profile: Michael Madison

Serial killing, which refers to the unlawful killing of many people (2 or more) in a long period of time by the same offender, is considered among the most implacable criminal acts that occur in the United States and across the world. The killings are usually carried out in separate events with a significant cooling-off period. Researchers have proposed various theories that can help understand the nature of serial killers. These theories fall into three broad categories, namely, psychological, biological, and sociological theories. Some propose the predisposition to violence, especially predisposition to neighborhoods characterized by gangs and crimes, and a mix between environment, personality traits, and biological factors as some of the factors that contribute to criminal behavior. 

This criminal profiling research paper will delve into explaining the “biological, situational, and developmental factors” that contributed to Michael Madison’s criminal behavior. Other topics that will be covered in this research paper are Michael Madison’s geographic mobility, M.O, and signature. But first, the paper will give a thorough description of Michael Madison’s life history. 

Criminal’s Background –Michael Madison 

Early Life 

Michael Madison is a citizen of the United States. More specifically, he is a serial killer from East Cleveland, Ohio. The serial killer, who is also a registered sex offender, is well known for three counts of murder. He kidnapped and murdered three women, namely, Shetisha Sheeley, Angela Deskins, and Shirellda Terry, between 2012 and 2013 (Redhe, 2016). The serial killers were born on October 15, 1977, from an unplanned pregnancy (Redhe, 2016). His parents had a troubled relationship and separated even before Madison was born. Therefore, Madison was raised by a single parent –his mother, Diane Madison. His fathers were named John Baldwin. However, his mother could not raise him properly and took him to his father. Later, his mother’s life took a different course as she started taking drugs and even worked as a prostitute. 

Personal Life 

Madison had several relationships. After being negatively famous, his ex-girlfriend came upfront in the court and revealed that Madison hates women. According to Madison’s ex-girlfriend, Madison is an individual that cannot stand female species (Harper, 2019). Madison also revealed that other than having problems with women, he also had problems with his mother. Madison states that he had a problem with his mother since childhood. According to Madison, his mother is the prime reason for his abnormal behavior. Madison had a relationship with several other women. After being negatively famous, many young girls came out and revealed that they had a relationship with Madison. Most of them also claimed that Madison threatened them during their relationship. 

Criminal Activity 

Michael Madison is not only an American serial killer but also a registered sex offender and drug offender. Madison had drug convictions in 2000 and 2001 (Redhe, 2016). More specifically, he was arrested in 2000 and 2001 for possessing, preparing for sale and trafficking of cocaine. In 2002, he was registered as a sex offender in the United States (Redhe, 2016). He was convicted for attempting rape and served four years in prison for this offense. In 2003, Madison was arrested after authorities found a decomposing body at a garage leased to Madison (Redhe, 2016). Other than the decomposing body, the authorities found two other bodies. The bodies, which had decomposed at the time, were wrapped in plastic bags. Madison was taken to court to face charges. Madison was charged with “three counts of murder and three counts of kidnapping “in 2013 (Redhe, 2016). 

According to Madison, the murders were inspired by Anthony Sowell, a notorious serial killer from Cleveland. Sowell, who is coined “The Cleveland Strangler,” was sentenced to death in 2011 (Redhe, 2016). This was after the serial killer was charged with 11 murders. The murders are believed to have taken place between 2007 and 2009 around and his Cleveland home (Redhe, 2016). After a standoff with police for about two and a half hours, Madison was arrested and taken into custody without incident. 

Court Appearance 

“On July 22, 2013, Madison was charged with three counts of aggravated murder” (Redhe, 2016). Following the charges against him, Madison waived a preliminary hearing. A bail of $1 million was levied against him for each count. Since Madison had a total of six counts (two counts for the killing of each victim), his bond was set at $6 million (Redhe, 2016). Madison did not enter a plea. 

Trial and Conviction 

Madison’s 14 counts include “two counts each of aggravated murder for each victim, three counts of kidnapping, three counts of gross abuse of a corpse, one count of rape, and one count of weapons possession by an ex-convict” (Redhe, 2016). Madison had previous convictions, which include prior drug convictions in 2000 and 2001, and attempted rape convictions in 2002, where he served four years in prison. 

On April 4, 2016, Madison’s trials started (Redhe, 2016). On May 5, 2016, Madison was found guilty for strangling to death, wrapping the bodies and disposing the bodies of three women, namely, Sheeley, Deskins, and Terry, near his apartment (Redhe, 2016). The jury found Madison guilty on all the 13 counts. On June 2, 2016, Madison was sentenced to death. 

Factors that Contributed to Madison’s Criminal Behavior 

Biological Factors 

Biological factors that lead to crime or serial killing consists of physiological, biochemical, neurological, and genetic factors. Experts believe that biological factors can contribute to criminal behavior. Based on twin studies, experts contend that a heritable trait may increase the risk of criminal behavior. According to a study done by Rahman (2015), criminals possess some abnormal biological characteristics. These traits are usually inherited from parents or ancestors and are liable for the crimes he committed. This means that if the parents or ancestors had a history of violent behaviors, then the individual is highly likely to inherit the traits that resulted in such behaviors. 

Madison’s mother had a troubled childhood. She was a drug addict. Diane Madison was addicted to heroin. She also practiced prostitution. Madison also had a troubled childhood. Madison, since his childhood, was on a predictable life trajectory of exhibiting criminal behavior in the future. This is because both Madison and his mother underwent a troubled childhood, and his mother ended up exhibiting criminal behaviors. According to defense attorney David Grant, Madison was from a family tree of abuse or a disturbed family tree (Harper, 2019). According to Grant, Madison’s family was composed of generations of physical abusers and sex offenders (Harper, 2019). For this reason, it is highly likely that Madison possesses some abnormal biological traits from his parents or ancestors, which are liable for his criminal behaviors. 

Situational Factors 

In criminal profiling, situational factors refer to circumstances that can contribute to criminal behavior or activity. People commit acts of crime for a number of reasons. Some may observe and pick a specific type of crime, such as serial killing or mass murder. According to serial killers, their criminal acts are meant to serve as “an alternative action response to a specific motivation” ( Wikström, 2014) . In other words, the causes of criminal acts are situational. Wikström states situation factors “help to explain why people become different (have different propensities), why environments become different (provide different environmental inducements), and why certain kinds of people are exposed to certain kinds of settings (environments) creating the situations to which their actions are a response.” The situational theory that best explains Madison’s criminal behavior is the situational action theory (SAT). 

SAT proposes that “the causes of human actions are situational” ( Wikström, 2014) . What people do is dictated by who they are. It is also dictated by the settings in which the individuals live. According to Wikström (2014), the actual exposure or the vulnerability to commit a criminal act is fundamentally a result of the interaction between an individual’s moral propensity and the environment. Madison’s intense hatred for women is what motivated him to become a serial killer. After breaking up with his girlfriend, Tenia Plummer, Madison exhibited extreme anger towards women (Harper, 2019). The dissociation, with his troubled childhood and childhood abuse, also fueled Madison’s hatred towards women. Madison regularly hit at any form of female authority. According to Harper, one of Madison’s ex-girlfriends described Madison as an individual who “hates the female species.” In addition, his mother never let Madison socialize with others, and this got him in trouble. Madison’s violent upbringing, which is characterized by a lack of attachment, abuse, and neglect, left him without any moral compass. His troubled childhood and childhood abuse left Madison contributed significantly to his criminal behavior. This with no foundation other than violence. 

Developmental Factors 

There is a number of models that explain how early childhood trauma contributes to a child’s deviant behavior in adulthood. One such model is “Hickey’s Trauma Control Model.: According to “Hickey’s Trauma Control Model,” the environment in which an individual is raised is the dominant factor in determining if the individual’s behavior will escalate into dangerous deviant behavior, such as serial killing (Purcell & Arrigo, 2006). The environment can either be their parent or society. Therefore, when it comes to a child’s development, the family is the most prominent part. This is because, just like other individuals, serial killers are prompted to seek out approval from parents, peers, or other people (Purcell & Arrigo, 2006). According to Purcell & Arrigo (2006), this need for approval is very vital as it is “what influences children to attempt to develop social relationships with their parents and peers.” The quality of their attachments to their families, especially their parents, tend to dictate the way these children will behave in society (Purcell & Arrigo, 2006). More specifically, it dictates how they will relate to other individuals. “Hickey’s Trauma Control Model” best explains Madison’s criminal behavior. 

Madison’s father denied him before he was even born. As a result, Madison was raised by a single parent. From the begging, Diane Madison felt she could not raise Madison by herself. This can be attributed, in part, to her troubled childhood. When she was young, her parents divorced. Madison’s mother eventually started to use drugs and worked as a prostitute. Madison’s poor development during his childhood was as a result of his poor attachment to his mother and peers. Diane Madison hardly permitted Madison to interact or play with other children. According to Harper, Madison’s relationship was limited to his mother and his mother’s boyfriends. His mother’s boyfriends severely disciplined him. In one instance, Defense attorney David Grant told the jury that Madison was severely beaten by one of his mother’s boyfriends. The beating was so severe that Madison developed large bruises and injuries on his forehead (Harper, 2019). This seriously affected Madison’s mental health. According to research from “the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study,” individuals with mental issues account for a considerable amount of violence in the society ( Arseneault, Moffitt, Caspi, Taylor, & Silva, 2000) . Arguably, the abuse Madison was subjected to in his childhood negatively affected his mental health. This contributed to his criminal behavior. 

Geographic Mobility, M.O, and Signature 

Numerous studies have examined serial killers’ geographical mobility and their M.O. A study conducted by Lundrigan and Canter (2017) recognized 3 forms of geographic mobility: “traveling killers, local killers, and killers whose attacks are limited to a specific place.” Michael Madison’s geographic mobility falls into the last category. His attacks were limited to East Cleveland, Ohio. All of his victims were from East Cleveland. He also committed all the crimes in East Cleveland. 

M.O, which stands for Modus Operandi, refers to the methods employed by a serial killer to commit his or her crimes. Patterns of victimization tend to vary from one serial killer to another. Some target specific people and use a specific method to commit their crimes or to victimize their victims. There are those who do not have a selection of victims. In other words, they murder a variety of victims (Lundrigan and Canter, 2017). These types of serial killers usually employ different methods to victimize people. Madison targeted specific victims –women. Madison had an intense hatred of women. This is what motivated him to commit the murders of the three women. 

He also used specific methods to commit the murders. Madison would lure the women into his apartment, kidnap them. After successfully kidnapping his victims, Madison would then strangle his victims to death. He would then wrap the bodies of his victims in plastic bags before disposing of them. Offenders' signature refers to the pattern of motivated-oriented behaviors that help serve the offender’s psychological and emotional needs. Madison’s intense hatred of women is what motivated him to lure, kidnap, and murder women. 

The psychology behind Serial Killers 

There are a number of psychological explanations for serial killing. The first theory that explains the psychology behind serial killers is instinct and impulse theory. This theory questions if people have an inherent or inborn quality that makes them commit criminal acts (Lee & Choi, 2014). The second theory that explains the psychology behind serial killers is the attachment theory. This theory mainly focuses on the early life experiences of criminals. More specifically, the theory focuses on the attachment between parents, especially the mother and the child. According to the attachment theory, weak attachments tend to finally lead an individual to a life of crime (Lee & Choi, 2014). The attachment theory is epitomized by serial killer Michael Madison. Another theory that best explains the psychology behind serial killers is the social learning theory and the influence of the media upon violent and aggressive behavior. This theory proposes that violent and aggressive behaviors can be acquired by observing and imitating others (Lee & Choi, 2014). The attachment theory and social learning theory best explains the psychology behind serial killer Michael Madison. 

Madison had a weak attachment to his mother. The weak attachment is what made Madison have a troubled childhood. This eventually led him into a life of crime. Madison’s murders were inspired by Anthony Sowell, a notorious serial killer from Cleveland. Madison learned about Sowell from the media. He was inspired by the way Sowell committed his crimes and hid the bodies of his victims. As a result, he learned about Sowell and employed the same methods used by Sowell to victimize women. 

Conclusion 

Arguably, Madison’s troubled childhood is what drove him to such criminal behavior. Madison was a master manipulator as he successfully lured his victims into his property before victimizing them. His intense hatred of women is what motivated him to commit the murders. As a serial killer, Madison killed at least three women. All the murders happened between 2012 and 2013 inside his apartment, which is located in East Cleveland, Ohio. Other than being a serial killer, Madison was previously convicted as a sex offender and a drug offender. His MO involved kidnapping, strangling to death, wrapping bodies in plastic bags, and disposing them near his apartment. There are many psychological theories that best explain Madison’s criminal behavior, but the best that explains his behavior is the attachment theory and social learning theory. His weak attachment to his mother and the media contributed to his criminal behavior. Madison was sentenced to death on June 2, 2016, for three counts of murder. 

References 

Arseneault, L., Moffitt, T. E., Caspi, A., Taylor, P. J., & Silva, P. A. (2000). Mental disorders and violence in a total birth cohort: results from the Dunedin Study.  Archives of general psychiatry ,  57 (10), 979-986. 

Harper, J. (2019). Serial killer Michael Madison’s childhood abuse used as defense to avoid death penalty. [Online]. Retrieved March 28, 2020, from https://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/2016/05/michael_madison_jury_will_now.html 

Lee, J. L., & Choi, K. (2014). Serial murder: An exploration and evaluation of theories and perspectives.  American International Journal of Contemporary Research ,  4 (3), 99-106. 

Lundrigan, S., & Canter, D. (2017). A Multivariate Analysis of Serial Murderers’ Disposal Site Location Choice. In  Applications of Geographical Offender Profiling  (pp. 39-54). Routledge. 

Purcell, C., & Arrigo, B. A. (2006).  The psychology of lust murder: Paraphilia, sexual killing, and serial homicide . Elsevier. 

Rahman, M. G. (2015). The Causation of Crime: A Study on Biological Factors. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), Vol. 20 (1); 1-6. 

Redhe, F. (2016). Michael Madison. [Online]. Retrieve March 28, 2020, from http://crimescenedb.com/michael-madison/ 

Wikström, P. O. H. (2014). Why crime happens: A situational action theory.  Analytical sociology: Actions and networks , 74-94.