Case Study of Jeremiah Cole
Subject Overview:
Jeremiah Cole was born in Saginaw, Michigan on May 15, 1989 to the parents of Ted and Bonnie Cole. Both his parents worked at a Saginaw refinery and had achieved little education beyond high school. Throughout Cole’s life, he was frequently exposed to hostile domestic disputes. Cole’s father would frequently physically abuse both he and his mom, exposing the young boy to violence at an early age. At age fifteen, his parents divorced, and the experience proved to have a lasting effect on Cole’s mental well-being. The combined impact of the physical abuse, domestic violence, and separation of his parents left a noticeable impact on Cole’s mental health.
Although Cole had always been regarded as a quiet kid by his peers, the divorce greatly hampered his social skills and he became even more of an outcast. Criminal activity became more common, and he developed a fascination with death and dominance. He started acting out by stealing from his friends and killing neighborhood pets. At age sixteen, Cole committed his first rape. At his junior prom, he took Susie Que as his date and ended up sexually abusing her behind the school during the dance. The police were called and Cole was arrested. At the police station, Cole was interviewed by the criminal psychologist and was deemed to have the qualities of a psychopath. He showed no remorse for his actions, he was extremely apathetic, and was extremely narcissistic. However, because Cole was a minor, he was unable to be labeled a psychopath. At his trial, he was sentenced to probation and had a restraining order placed against him by Susie Que. After his 18th birthday, Cole continued to rape women at his college, but there was never enough evidence to prosecute him. Eventually Cole murdered a young girl from Seattle, Washington who had visited his university for a college tour. The media took notice of the case right away. This time, Cole was found guilty and was sentenced to death. In a prison interview right before his death, Cole stated that he always knew that one day he could hurt someone, but felt that the justice system had been too easy on him. At age 22, on September 3rd, 2011, cole was put to death by means of lethal injection.
Observations:
Jeremiah Cole’s case highlights the flaws of the United States’ criminal justice system for psychopathic individuals. Throughout his case, his mental state was never properly evaluated, leading to inefficient treatment methods and sentences. If mental health had been properly considered, using modern medical tests, perhaps Cole would have been able to seek proper treatment, minimizing his criminal activity and victim count.
Subject Overview:
Jeremiah Cole was born in Saginaw, Michigan on May 15, 1989 to the parents of Ted and Bonnie Cole. Both his parents worked at a Saginaw refinery and had achieved little education beyond high school. Throughout Cole’s life, he was frequently exposed to hostile domestic disputes. Cole’s father would frequently physically abuse both he and his mom, exposing the young boy to violence at an early age. At age fifteen, his parents divorced, and the experience proved to have a lasting effect on Cole’s mental well-being. The combined impact of the physical abuse, domestic violence, and separation of his parents left a noticeable impact on Cole’s mental health.
Although Cole had always been regarded as a quiet kid by his peers, the divorce greatly hampered his social skills and he became even more of an outcast. Criminal activity became more common, and he developed a fascination with death and dominance. He started acting out by stealing from his friends and killing neighborhood pets. At age sixteen, Cole committed his first rape. At his junior prom, he took Susie Que as his date and ended up sexually abusing her behind the school during the dance. The police were called and Cole was arrested. At the police station, Cole was interviewed by the criminal psychologist and was deemed to have the qualities of a psychopath. He showed no remorse for his actions, he was extremely apathetic, and was extremely narcissistic. However, because Cole was a minor, he was unable to be labeled a psychopath. At his trial, he was sentenced to probation and had a restraining order placed against him by Susie Que. After his 18th birthday, Cole continued to rape women at his college, but there was never enough evidence to prosecute him. Eventually Cole murdered a young girl from Seattle, Washington who had visited his university for a college tour. The media took notice of the case right away. This time, Cole was found guilty and was sentenced to death. In a prison interview right before his death, Cole stated that he always knew that one day he could hurt someone, but felt that the justice system had been too easy on him. At age 22, on September 3rd, 2011, cole was put to death by means of lethal injection.
Observations:
Jeremiah Cole’s case highlights the flaws of the United States’ criminal justice system for psychopathic individuals. Throughout his case, his mental state was never properly evaluated, leading to inefficient treatment methods and sentences. If mental health had been properly considered, using modern medical tests, perhaps Cole would have been able to seek proper treatment, minimizing his criminal activity and victim count.