Yaqeen Blog

This case remains a foundational study in criminal psychology and the history of the South American penal system, raising questions about nature versus nurture that are still debated in true crime circles today.

Early Life and the Seeds of Violence

Born in Buenos Aires in 1896 to Italian immigrants, Godino’s childhood was marked by extreme poverty and brutal physical abuse at the hands of his father.

By the age of seven, Godino was already displaying signs of severe behavioral pathology. His parents, unable to control his violent outbursts, actually requested that the police imprison him when he was only ten years old. He was sent to a reformatory but was released shortly after, only for his violence to escalate from setting fires and killing animals to targeting the most vulnerable members of society: children.

The Reign of Terror (1912)

Godino’s crimes reached a fever pitch in 1912. His "modus operandi" was consistently cruel, involving the luring of young children to vacant lots or secluded areas.

• The Victims: Most of his victims were toddlers or young children, such as Arturo Laurora and Reina Bonita Vainicoff.

• The Methods: Godino used stones, ropes, and even industrial nails to commit his murders. He often returned to the wakes or funerals of his victims, fueled by a morbid curiosity and a lack of remorse.

• The Arrest: He was finally apprehended after the murder of three-year-old Gesualdo Giordano. The police found him after witnesses spotted him near the crime scene, and a search of his home revealed clippings about his own crimes.

Clinical Significance: A "Born Criminal"?

At the time of his trial, the legal and medical world was fascinated by Godino. He was examined by prominent doctors who utilized the now-debunked theories of Lombroso, which suggested that "criminality" could be identified by physical traits—such as Godino’s prominent ears.

• The Ear Surgery: In a bizarre attempt to "cure" his criminal instincts, doctors performed plastic surgery on his ears while he was in prison, believing that reducing their size would diminish his urge to kill. It had no effect.

• Diagnosis: Modern psychologists often point to a combination of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), early childhood trauma, and potential neurological damage as the drivers of his behavior.

The End in Ushuaia

Godino was eventually sent to the "End of the World" prison in Ushuaia, a high-security facility in Tierra del Fuego. Even behind bars, his violence continued; he reportedly killed a fellow prisoner's pet bird, which led to a brutal beating by other inmates.

He died in 1944 under mysterious circumstances—some reports claim he was murdered by other prisoners, while official records cite internal bleeding. Today, the prison in Ushuaia is a museum where a wax figure of "El Petiso Orejudo" serves as a grim reminder of Argentina's most prolific juvenile predator.

Sources

◦ The Little Earless One: The Story of Cayetano Santos Godino - Historical Archives

◦ Journal of Forensic Psychiatry - Case Study of Argentine Serial Offenders

◦ Museo Marítimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia - Biographical Records

◦ Criminal Anthropology and the Case of the Big-Eared Runt - Academic Review

On January 2, 2011, the quiet community of Big Prairie, Ohio, was shattered by a 911 call from a 10-year-old boy. That boy was Joey McVay, and his confession was chilling: he had just shot his mother, 46-year-old Deborah McVay, in their Holmes County home.

When deputies arrived, they found Deborah face down on the living room floor with a single gunshot wound to the head. The weapon used was a .22-caliber rifle. The case immediately sparked a national debate regarding juvenile justice and the age of criminal responsibility.

Key Facts of the Joey McVay Case:

• The Motive: Reports suggested a dispute over chores—specifically, being asked to carry in firewood—preceded the shooting.

• The Sentence: Joey pleaded "denied" (the juvenile equivalent of not guilty) but was later found delinquent. He was sentenced to a juvenile correctional facility until the age of 21.

• Psychological Profile: The defense highlighted a history of behavioral issues and a lack of previous violent outbursts, raising questions about mental health support for minors.

This case remains a haunting example of domestic tragedy in rural America. For true crime enthusiasts, it serves as a somber reminder of the complexities surrounding juvenile offenders.

The case of Nathaniel Abraham remains one of the most significant landmarks in the American legal system. In 1999, he became the youngest person in modern U.S. history to be convicted of murder as an adult for a crime committed when he was only 11 years old.

The Incident and Trial

• The Crime: On October 29, 1997, 18-year-old Ronnie Greene Jr. was fatally shot outside a convenience store in Pontiac, Michigan. Nathaniel was arrested two days later. He admitted to firing a stolen .22-caliber rifle but claimed he was aiming at trees and did not intend to hit anyone.

• Legal Context: He was tried under a 1997 Michigan law that allowed children of any age to be prosecuted as adults for serious felonies.

• The Defense: His attorney argued the shooting was an accident. Experts testified that Nathaniel had an IQ of 75 and the mental capacity of a much younger child, suggesting he could not fully comprehend the consequences of his actions or form "intent to kill."

• The Verdict: While charged with first-degree murder, the jury convicted him of second-degree murder in November 1999.

Sentencing and Rehabilitation

Judge Eugene Moore, who presided over the case, was vocally critical of the law. He had three sentencing options: an adult sentence, a "blended" sentence, or a juvenile sentence.

He chose the juvenile sentence, ordering Nathaniel to be held in a maximum-security juvenile facility until his 21st birthday. Judge Moore emphasized that the legal system should focus on rehabilitation rather than just punishment when dealing with a child.

Life After Initial Release

Nathaniel was released in January 2007 upon turning 21. However, his transition back into society was marked by ongoing legal struggles:

• Subsequent Arrests: Within 18 months of his release, he was arrested for possession and intent to deliver drugs.

• Further Convictions: Over the following years, he faced several other charges, including indecent exposure and assaulting prison staff during his later incarcerations.

• Current Status: According to Michigan Department of Corrections records, he has remained involved in the carceral system for much of his adult life.

The case continues to be a central point of debate regarding juvenile justice, specifically whether children possess the neurological development to be held to adult standards of "intent" and whether the system is equipped to rehabilitate youth who commit violent crimes.