Abstract
Imposing criminal responsibility on a defendant who suffers from multiple personality disorder ("MPD") challenges both society's definition of personal identity and its foundations of culpability. Consider, for example, "Multiple," an individual suffering from MPD. Multiple has two alter personalities, Abe and Bob. Presently, Abe controls Multiple the greatest percentage of time and is clearly the "host" personality. Abe is well-mannered and well-liked by friends and family. He is also gentle and controls his temperament. Bob, however, is the antithesis of Abe. He is aggressive, mean-spirited, and abusive. Bob knows that Abe exists and dislikes him intensely. Conversely, Abe does not know about Bob, and cannot control Bob. Abe notices, however, that he often experiences blackouts, and reawakens in peculiar circumstances.
Recommended Citation
Hindley, Mark E.
(1994)
"United States v. Denny-Shaffer and Multiple
Personality Disorder: "Who Stole the Cookie
from the Cookie Jar?","
Utah Law Review: Vol. 1994:
No.
2, Article 11.
Available at:
https://dc.law.utah.edu/ulr/vol1994/iss2/11