The bianchi (L.A. hillside strangler) case: Sociopath or multiple personality?

The case of Kenneth Bianchi (the Los Angeles “Hillside Strangler”) has been controversial ever since he was first arrested in January, 1979. This contributor saw Bianchi as a consultant on March 21st and Bnd, 1979. Under hypnosis, he manifested what appeared to be a multiple personality. An underlying personality, “Steve,” whose existence was apparently unknown to Bianchi, claimed responsibility for the 2 murders in Bellingham and those in Los Angeles. As a consequence, the court appointed 5 other consultants to examine the defendant. On April 20, 1979, I activated the Steve personality without a hypnotic induction. It described many murders in Los Angeles, indicating which ones he (Steve) had done and which ones Bianchi's cousin (Angel0 Buono) did. The major personality (Ken) appeared to be amnesic to all this. 2 additional “personalities” were elicited by Martin Orne, another consultant. However, Orne would not accept the diagnosis of multiple personality. He diagnosed Bianchi as an “Antisocial Personality” (Sociopath) and claimed that he was a clever malingerer. He also asserted that Bianchi bad never been hypnotized. The evidence, Rorschach tests, intelligence tests, handwriting samples, art creations, plus recorded sessions by Watkins, Orne and others, are analyzed. This writer concludes that the diagnosis of multiple personality is strongly supported.