Billy Milligan, born on February 14, 1955 in Miami Beach, Florida, has gone down in history as a notorious criminal with a complex psychological profile. His life story is one that is marred by a series of heinous crimes, a diagnosis of acute schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder, and a troubled family background.
Milligan's criminal history began with charges of armed robbery and multiple rapes, some of which took place on the campus of Ohio State University. After spending two years incarcerated, he was released in 1977 only to be arrested again later that same year for the Ohio State rapes. It was during the trial for these crimes that his case gained national attention.
During the trial, it was revealed that Milligan had been diagnosed with acute schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder. He was found to have ten distinct personalities, with an additional fourteen being diagnosed by an unlicensed psychiatrist. This complex psychological profile led to Milligan being granted an insanity defense, resulting in his confinement in state-run psychiatric facilities for ten years.
After his release in 1991, Milligan attempted to turn his life around by forming Stormy Life Productions and expressing interest in making a short film. However, none of his projects ever came to fruition, and he eventually lost touch with all of his known contacts. He spent his remaining years in a nursing home, battling cancer until his death at the age of 59.
Milligan was the second of three children born to Dorothy Pauline Sands and Johnny Morrison. His father struggled with depression, alcoholism, and gambling, ultimately leading to his suicide in 1959. After his father's death, Milligan's mother remarried Chalmer Milligan, who had a troubled past of his own. Milligan would later accuse Chalmer of abuse, which came up during his trial.
His childhood was marked by instability and trauma, with his family facing numerous challenges. Despite these difficulties, Milligan's mother, who was a singer, tried to provide a stable environment for her children.
Milligan's run-ins with the law began in 1975 when he was incarcerated in Ohio for armed robbery and rape. His subsequent diagnosis of acute schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder shed light on the complexity of his psychological state.
During his trial, Milligan became the first person to be acquitted of major crimes based on a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder. This landmark decision sparked a debate about the intersection of mental health and criminal justice.
Milligan's life story was the subject of The Minds of Billy Milligan, a non-fiction novel written by Daniel Keyes. The book delves into the intricacies of Milligan's case, shedding light on the complexities of his mental health and legal battles.
Despite his troubled past and complex psychological profile, Milligan's story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of understanding and addressing mental health issues in the criminal justice system.