Something Happened to Grandma Read online

  In “The Narcissistic Exoskeleton: The Defensive Organization of the Rage-Type Murderer,” author Duncan Cartwright argues that for those with borderline personality disorder, the “bad self” remains concealed behind the narcissistic exoskeleton. As a result, bad experience simply accumulates and remains unmodified and unarticulated. The separation between the external fantasy and internal reality as representation of idealized good objects and all-bad objects is important to maintain. People in this category are prone to violence that is catastrophically violent or homicidal. The coherent ego is maintained as long as the destructive and disturbed area of the personality remains split off.

  Cartwright writes, “Hate and consequential fear are key factors that create an oversensitivity in violent individuals. In a transient form, this is not an uncommon experience for most of us. Prolonged hate, however, causes even greater sensitivity, and murder itself is seen as a fantasized end to these distressing emotions.” Also, the author contends, “[This type of murderer] posses a particular habitual kind of magical thinking that is supremely arrogant. Underneath this arrogance, however, these individuals often feel inferior and incompetent and are extremely passive. Violence or murder frees them from these disabling factors in the personality.… These individuals internalize a strong need to depend on the maternal object, conform, and succeed. However, due to their insecurities and confusion regarding their own identity and underlying hostility, they constantly fail. This tension sets up a cycle of personal failures that leads to escalating feelings of anger and rage. And then, the violent act is carried out followed by a superficial return to normality, but with no insight into the event.”

  In discussing rage murders in those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, Cartwright says that offenders have poor impulse control, transient blurring of fantasy and reality, altered states of consciousness, shallow or blunted affect, and finally a violent and primitive fantasy life.

  In the end, perhaps “it had to be done” in order for Morris to free himself from the guilt of not being able to protect his mother, as well as never living up to his own expectations of himself in every other area. There was a way out of all the responsibility of being a husband, a father, a son-in-law, a son and a brother. There was a way out of financial obligations and trying to make a living. There was a way out of all the hassles and pressures of life and family amid myriad temptations. Perhaps he envisioned the solution as living stress-free in a hospital for 10 years or so and focusing on what he said he always really wanted to do: Help others.

  That part of his fantasy didn’t exactly happen according to plan. Instead, he shattered the lives of all who knew and loved him. We all have a million tiny choices to make every single day. Gabriel Morris made all the wrong choices.

  www.crimescape.com

  Photo Index/Credits

  Robert Kennelly’s home in Bandon—Coos County District Attorney’s office

  Robert Kennelly and Robin Anstey—Family photo

  The Narrow Driveway—Police Evidence photo

  Jesse, Robin and Gabe about 1984—Family photo, thanks to Scott Walsh

  Jesse, Robin and Gabe in 2009—Family photo, thanks to Scott Walsh

  Kalea, Gabe and Jessica—Family photo

  A view to the balcony—Coos County District Attorney’s office

  H&K .40 cal pistol—image by C E Bardsley

  Getaway tire tracks—Coos County District Attorney’s office

  Dumfries, VA Neighborhood Where Arrest Took Place—Photo by C E Bardsley

  Gabriel Morris—Mug Shot

  Jessica Morris—Mug Shot

  District Attorney R. Paul Frasier—Coos County District Attorney’s office

  Coos County Court House—Oregon Secy. Of State Website

  Judge Martin Stone—Oregon Lawyer Directory

  Bullet hole in leaf—Coos County District Attorney’s office

  Robin Anstey—Family photo, thanks to Scott Walsh

  Resources

  Bandon Western World. “Robert William Bob Kennelly, Jr.” 25 February, 2010 http://www.bandonwesternworld.com/articles/2010/02/25/public_records/obituaries/doc4b85a50b2d60f787112458.txt

  Boudreau, Damian “Frasier Takes Over as District Attorney.” The World [Bandon] 4 January, 2008.

  Carmack, Laurie. Email to the author. 2 September, 2011.

  Cartwright, Duncan. “The Narcissistic Exoskeleton: The Defensive Organization of the Rage-type Murderer.” Bulletin Of The Menninger Clinic 66.1 (2002): 1-18. MEDLINE with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 9 Sept. 2011.

  Cartwright, Duncan. “The Role of Psychopathology and Personality in Rage-type homicide: A Review.” South African Journal of Psychology 31.3 (2001): 12. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 9 Sept. 2011.

  Heide, Kathleen M. “Why Kids Kill Parents.” Psychology Today 25.5 (1992): 62. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 9 Sept. 2011.

  Olsen, Hannah, “Psychologist Takes Stand in Gabriel Morris Trial.” http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Psychologist-takes-stand-in-Gabriel-Morris-murder/JIxgHN2BiUyJqNu4y5MBTw.cspx

  Ross, Winston. “Morris Gets Life Sentence,” The Register-Guard [Eugene] 17 August, 2011.

  —“Murder Suspect Returned to Oregon,” The Register-Guard [Eugene] 6 May, 2010: B1.

  —“Promise and Tragedy,” The Register-Guard [Eugene] 14 March, 2010: A1.

  —“Suspect Arrested in Bandon Couple’s Slaying,” The Register-Guard [Eugene] 23 February, 2010: A1.

  —“Homicides Shake up Coos County,” The Register-Guard [Eugene] 13 April, 2011: B1.

  Walsh, Scott. Personal interview. 25 August, 2011.

  About the Author

  Elizabeth Engstrom is the author of 13 books and more than 250 published short stories, articles and essays. Known as a writer of dark fantasy, her most recent book is York’s Moon, a critically acclaimed mystery. An author, teacher, editor and former publisher, she is a sought-after panelist, keynote speaker and instructor at writing conferences and conventions around the world. Since she completed her master’s degree in applied theology, she has begun a small interfaith ministry (www.love-and-mercy-ministries.com) and puts her pen to use for social justice. She is on faculty at the University of Phoenix.

  www.elizabethengstrom.com

  Books by Elizabeth Engstrom

  When Darkness Loves Us

  Black Ambrosia

  Nightmare Flower

  Lizzie Borden

  Lizard Wine

  The Alchemy of Love

  Candyland

  Suspicions

  Black Leather

  Word by Word (with John Tullius)

  Imagination Fully Dilated (co-editor)

  Imagination Fully Dilated vol. II (editor)

  Dead on Demand (editor)

  Pronto! Writings from Rome (editor, with John Tullius)

  Ship’s Log: Writings at Sea (editor, with John Tullius)

  Lies and Limericks (editor, with John Tullius)

  The Northwoods Chronicles

  York’s Moon

  Something Happened to Grandma

  Baggage Check