Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"It's either, 'This man is badly faking a multiple personality disorder.' Right. He is either a moron that needs to be hung in front of everyone, or this man is even sicker and dumber than we even thought he was." — Marcus Parks
"And the other thing is that Ken's lawyer had compiled a report on Ken's childhood detailing all those incidents that we talked about in the first episode, and Ken, of course, had gotten his hands on that report prior to the hypnosis sessions. So Ken pretty much, he had a full-on education in this stuff before he went in." — Henry Zebrowski
"But the final nail in the multiple personality coffin came when Orn told Ken to hallucinate that his lawyer was in the room. Didn't prompt him. Just told him, hey, your lawyer is in the room. That's it. And Bianchi, playing along, reached out to shake the imaginary lawyer's hand." — Marcus Parks
This episode delves into the latter stages of the Hillside Stranglers investigation, focusing on Ken Bianchi's arrest and subsequent legal proceedings. Following his apprehension in Bellingham, Washington, for the murders of Karen Mandak and Diane Wilder, Bianchi's defense strategy revolved around a fabricated multiple personality disorder (MPD) diagnosis. The podcast details the multiple psychiatrists who examined Bianchi, each attempting to uncover the truth behind his alleged dissociative states, notably "Steve" and "Billy." The hosts critically analyze the psychiatrists' methodologies, highlighting how Bianchi's extensive research into psychology, combined with the cultural phenomenon of MPD in the 1970s, allowed him to present a convincing, albeit false, narrative.
The narrative emphasizes the efforts of law enforcement, particularly detectives from Los Angeles, who remained skeptical of Bianchi's performance. Their persistence in piecing together evidence from both Bellingham and Los Angeles, including physical clues and Bianchi's own detailed confessions (initially as "Steve"), ultimately led to the unraveling of his charade. The podcast underscores how Bianchi’s "performances" as different personalities were too clean and caricatured, failing to convince seasoned investigators. The legal implications of an insanity plea are explored, particularly how it would have allowed his accomplice, Angelo Bono, to potentially escape conviction.
The episode concludes with Bianchi's insanity plea being rejected after six different psychiatrists assessed him, and the rejection of his MPD defense. Facing overwhelming evidence, Bianchi ultimately pleaded guilty, testifying against Angelo Bono in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. Bono was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. The hosts reflect on Bianchi's career as a showman and his persistent denial of guilt even after conviction, setting the stage for potential future discussions about individuals who become involved with convicted killers.