True Crime Friday: James Desborough, The Cornwall Serial Killer
As a true crime writer, I keep asking myself why do humans feel the need to kill each other? Studies have shown that the death penalty does not deter crime, far from it. I was watching 48 Hours when a policeman said something that stuck with me as to why people keep murdering each other and thinking they can get away with it. He said, “You know who the most positive people are out there? They are murderers because they really think if they plan hard enough, they will get away with it." It is true, because husbands kill wives, wives kill husbands and so on and so forth and still get caught and convicted for murder even when the death penalty is involved. The risk is never too great for people to be hellbent on getting their way. When it comes to murder we, humans have the lead over animals.
The Early Childhood of James Desborough
Desborough grew up in the United Kingdom. I could not find anything about James Desborough's childhood, but since he became a serial killer it could not have been a happy one. According to people that knew him he was a control freak. Being a control freak does not make one destined to become a killer, but it does play a role. The killer does not feel they have control of their lives, so by taking other people's lives it tends give is them the control they have never had before. It is a psychological tendency of killers. One of his victims stated that "He's really off his head. He doesn't care... he is kamikaze." He was murdered by Desborough shortly after making that desperate 999 call.The Victims of James Desborough
- Claudio Aquilino
- Daniel Coleman
- Steven Kempster
- Suspected Unknown Victim
- Suspected Unknown Victim
- Suspected Unknown Victim
- Suspected Unknown Victim
Coleman’s brother Tony Nye described Coleman as a loving, funny and kind man. His brother said he was an amazing singer and cook. He said his brother went through a great deal of trauma which led to his homeless lifestyle. Coleman remained close to his family, especially his grandmother who raised him. He called her daily without fail. When he stopped calling her, she grew suspicious. Some of the trauma he faced was being kidnapped at the age of thirteen and stabbed several times before being rescued. He was also the victim of a hit and run and other assaults.
He murdered his cellmate Steven Kempster because he found his snoring annoying. He also did not approve of the way his cellmates dishes were returned. He killed Kempster three days into his prison sentence.