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get caught. But it is Burns who stands out as the more calculating,
callous, arrogant, and grandiose.
Following their conviction, Burns addressed the court in a
two-hour rambling, self-serving oratory described by the judge as
“chilling” and by the prosecutor as something he had never seen
before: “But then, I’ve never seen anyone like Sebastian Burns
before. He’s a psychopath,” he said.
Reporters described Burns as being tremendously articulate,
more like a high-school debater than a convicted criminal, and as
holding some audience members spellbound. The judge commented,
“Mr. Burns, you are not immoral, you are amoral. You
have no moral rudder whatsoever. You are an arrogant, convicted
killer. You will be responsible for your premeditated, naked, vicious
massacre of this family.” Burns portrayed himself as a victim
and said the police got him to brag about the murders so that he
would impress important criminals who were trying to recruit him.
Hare’s view is that the court performance by Burns was bombastic,
disjointed, contradictory, confusing, and confused. The
fact that some members of the audience found it compelling is a
tribute to the ability of some psychopaths to put on a good show
without saying anything of substance.
While he was in custody, the twenty-six-year-old Burns was
caught having sexual relations with his forty-three-year-old married
public defender. The Bar Association recommended that she
be suspended for one year, but the state supreme court increased
her suspension to two years and ordered that she undergo a psychological
evaluation before being reinstated.
If you find yourself being dominated by a boss or coworker or
on an emotional roller coaster, seek outside confirmation. If you find
that the interactions are damaging, it is time to end it. Often, family,
friends, and coworkers can assist you or provide you emotional support
as you transition out. In abusive situations, you may need to get
the advice and assistance of the authorities or other trained professionals.