Arthur Gary BishopAshley Kappeler Period 6

Background

Born in Hinckley, Utah Eldest of six brothers Raised as a devout Mormon Was an Eagle Scout Was an honor student in high school Served missionaries in the Philippines post-

high school Graduated from Steven Henager College

with honors Graduated with a degree in Accounting Actively involved in the Big Brother program

Crimes Accused of Committing 1 count of embezzlement- $8,714 from a used car

dealership and seemed repentant however he dropped out of sight and a warrant was issued for his arrest Embezzlement- The fraudulent conversion of another's property by a

person who is in a position of trust, such as an agent or employee.

5 counts of aggravated kidnapping Aggravated Kidnapping- The crime of unlawfully seizing and carrying away

a person by force or fraud, or seizing and detaining a person against his or her will with an intent to carry that person away at a later time.

5 counts of aggravated murder Aggravated murder- "any circumstance attending the commission of

a crime or tort which increases its guilt or enormity or adds to its injurious consequences, but which is above and beyond the essential constituents of the crime or tort itself.

1 count of sexual abuse of a minor To knowingly cause another person to engage in an unwanted

sexual act by force or threat

Most Recent Crime

On July 14, 1983 Bishop killed his final victim: 13-year-old Graeme Cunningham, who vanished from his neighborhood prior to embarking upon a camping trip with a friend and an adult chaperone: Arthur Bishop. The boy's disappearance was statewide news. Evidence Against Him:

▪ Was brought in for questioning by police- confessed to the murder▪ Lead police to Cunningham’s body▪ Claimed an addiction to child pornography molded his “violent sexual

fantasies”

Sentence▪ Bishop was found guilty of five counts of aggravated murder, five counts of

aggravated kidnapping, and one count of sexually abusing a minor, and sentenced to death

▪ Upon this sentence Bishop request to be executed by lethal injection- he was executed in Utah State Prison in Point of the Mountain on June 10, 1988 be lethal injection

Cunningham

Arthur Gary Bishop

After his conviction he wrote a letter stating why he committed the crimes that he did- “I am a homosexual pedophile convicted of murder, and pornography was a

determining factor in my downfall. Somehow I became sexually attracted to young boys and I would fantasize about them naked. Certain bookstores offered sex education, photographic, or art books which occasionally contained pictures of nude boys. I purchased such books and used them to enhance my masturbatory fantasies... Finding and procuring sexually arousing materials became an obsession. For me, seeing pornography was lighting a fuse on a stick of dynamite. I became stimulated and had to gratify my urges or explode. All boys became mere sexual objects. My conscience was desensitized and my sexual appetite entirely controlled my actions.”

He also stated- “I’m glad they caught me, because I would do it again.”

He went by the name “Rodger Downs” I did not find any information regarding Arthur

Gary Bishop’s crimes in pop culture

Sociological Theory of Deviance

Arthur Gary Bishop’s entire life revolved around pursuing the goals that society told him to. As a devout Mormon from birth and honors student, Bishop conformed to everyone else’s standards of success instead of pursuing his own dreams. That being said, I believe the Anomie theory best describes why the crimes were committed. Furthering his relationship with God and pursuing an education at Steven Henager College is what I believe pushed Bishop over the edge. Coming out of college in debt and unable to pay his bills, Bishop committed his first crime- embezzling money from a local used car dealership. At this time in his life, I believe the sociological theory that defines his first crime is innovation. Bishop wanted to be out of debt and he couldn’t make that happen by legitimate means so he took drastic measures by embezzling money. After he realized he would have to pay back the money he fled police and started a new life.

When bishop started to molest and kill young boys, I believe the sociological theory that best describes these crimes is anomie theory, specifically rebellion. Bishop wanted to rebel against the law and the Mormon church. When he began to experience homosexual feelings that he knew would get him banned from church, he didn’t know where to turn. So he did the unthinkable and began to rebel against society’s norms by molesting and killling boys. At this point all he wanted to do was rebel against society.

Anomie Theory- Innovation and Rebellion