Serious American Trouble for Crimes in “American Psycho”

Before we knew actor Christian Bale as Batman, he was Bateman. Patrick Bateman, in “American Psycho” – a violent movie about the dual life of a wealthy, narcissistic investment banker on Wall Street by day and grisly New York serial killer by night.

Patrick Bateman spends his days obsessed with his appearance and financial career. He embodies an overly excessive 1980’s lifestyle: the perfect haircut, the best facial products, the most fashionable wardrobe, a Park Avenue apartment.

However by nightfall, Bateman spirals sadistically out of control, turning into a psychotic serial killer and rapist personifying the exact opposite of his self-absorbed identity by day. He kills a colleague and moves deeper and darker into his psychosis by luring prostitutes into his penthouse, torturing and raping them. Eventually, he brutally murders the women he seduces and dismembers them.

The Crimes in “American Psycho” are Strikes in California

If Patrick Bateman were a real person, he would be in serious trouble. Each of his “crimes” are violent felonies, which means they all count as “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes Law.

If he were arrested and convicted for capital murder, he could be facing the death penalty. Let’s take a look at some of the crimes Patrick commits and the penalties you would face if convicted of doing the same…

Mayhem (PC 203)

Penal Code 203 describes mayhem as the unlawful and malicious disfigurement or disabling of a part of a human body. In essence, you commit mayhem if you unlawfully render useless, cut or disable human body parts – just like Patrick Bateman does to his murdered victims.

Mayhem carries a sentence of two, four or eight years in prison upon conviction.

Aggravated Mayhem (PC 205)

Aggravated mayhem under Penal Code 205 is the crime of unlawfully and intentionally causing permanent disability or disfigurement of a person, or depriving a person of a limb, organ or member of his or her body.

Aggravated mayhem involves an additional element of committing disfigurement under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to either the physical or psychological well-being of another person.

Aggravated mayhem carries a life sentence with the possibility of parole.

Torture (PC 206)

Penal Code Section 206 defines “torture” as inflicting great bodily harm on another person with the specific intent to cause cruel or extreme pain. Torture does not require proof that the victim suffered any pain. Rather, this crime centers on your intent to cause suffering as a result of seeking revenge, extortion or for any sadistic purpose.

Torture is punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Rape (PC 261)

Rape is the crime of perpetrating non-consensual sexual intercourse, either against a person’s will by use of force or threat of serious injury to the victim or someone else, when the victim is unconscious or otherwise unaware, or is prevented from resisting.

Rape is a violent sex offense, a conviction for which is punishable by three, six or eight years in prison and lifetime sex offender registration.

If you are found to be a Sexually Violent Predator as a result of a rape conviction, you could be involuntarily held in a state mental hospital once you complete your prison sentence unless or until a jury decides you are no longer a danger to society under Welfare and Institutions Code 6600.

Murder (PC 187)

California law under penal code 187 defines murder as the unlawful killing of a human being or fetus with malice aforethought. You can be prosecuted for first degree murder if you kill someone while doing any of the following:

• Using a destructive device or explosive;
• Using armor piercing ammunition;
• Using poison;
• Lying in wait;
• Committing torture; or
• Any other kind of deliberate and premeditated killing.

Additionally, first degree murder can be charged whenever you kill someone as a result of perpetrating other defined crimes, such as:

• Arson;
• Rape;
• Carjacking;
• Robbery;
• Burglary;
• Mayhem;
• Kidnapping; or
• Specified sex offenses (such as rape, sodomy or child molestation).

If you are convicted of first degree murder, you face a minimum of 25 years-to-life in prison. If special circumstances are alleged and proved, you may be convicted of “capital murder” and sentenced to either:

• Life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP); or
• Death.

Call Wallin & Klarich if You are Facing Any of the Crimes Depicted in American Psycho

If you or someone you love has been accused of any of the violent crimes depicted in the movie “American Psycho,” you need to contact our attorneys at Wallin & Klarich immediately. Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney from Wallin & Klarich is your best chance to avoid the serious consequences of a felony strike conviction.

We will thoroughly examine all of the evidence against you to determine whether every element of the crime can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. We will do everything we can to get your charges reduced or dismissed. If your case goes to trial, we will use our considerable trial experience to construct a defense that gives you the best chance to be found not guilty.

With offices in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Tustin, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, our attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have over 40 years of experience defending thousands of Southern California residents charged with violent felonies. We will employ every strategy available to help you get the best result possible in your case.

Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free telephone consultation. We will get through this together.