Originally posted by Herlock Sholmes
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On the subject of Deeming, the following is an extract from John Godl's Casebook dissertation:
Born in Birkenhead, Cheshire on 30 July 1853? Deeming seems to have always lived his life on the fringes of sanity, the youngest of seven children he was known in youth as "Mad Fred" due to his abnormal behaviour. Stemming, perhaps, from the savage beatings meted out by his tinsmith father. Who died insane in a workhouse, having attempted suicide on four occasions by slashing his throat. By all accounts Deeming had a stifling relationship with his Sunday school teacher mother, who instilled her puritanical interpretation of the scriptures in him. Deeming carried a bible with him on all his travels, and was obsessed with concepts of sin and punishment. Her death in 1875 came as a crashing blow and he suffered a mental breakdown, and later claimed her spirit compelled him to kill.
I'm wondering if this, and the fact that he is known to have murdered at least two wives and all of his children, should qualify him for a rating in category (D), Mental Health Issues, above "none known"?
Cheers, George
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