Loyal reader FLHoneybee writes in to give her analysis of the psychology behind the relationship of two S. Carolina sociopaths who were each sentenced to life without parole for beating a 3-year-old girl to death.

FLHoneybee is correct when she says one of the women was the dominant partner (Shanita Cunningham), while the other partner just went along and followed her lead (Erica Butts).

But she is incorrect in assuming that Erica Butts was just as much a victim as 3-year-old Serenity Richardson.

Just because one murderous partner is meek (or even felt intimidated) doesn’t make her any less complicit in the crime. They both took part. They are both psychopaths.

There is a term for women who intentionally seek out bad asses for relationships (‘hoodrat’ quickly comes to mind). But seriously, the term is “Folie à deux”.

Folie à deux is French for “madness shared by two”. In psychology circles it is referred to as shared psychosis or shared psychotic disorder. It simply means that each woman had it in her to be a murderer — but they were too cowardly to do it alone.

The child murderers, Leopold and Loeb, is one famous case that is often cited as an example of folie à deux where one dominant partner influences the other to kill.

Like Cunningham and Butts, the men were also homosexual lovers and each were sentenced to life in prison.

People involved in folie à deux relationships see themselves as victims of society and they often seek out partners (other tortured souls) who find solace (and protection) in each other. It’s them against the world, just the same way that narcissists and their enabler/victims find each other.

When two psychopaths do get together, it often results in a perfect storm of rage. That rage is sometimes inflicted first on each other and then outwardly against others (usually weaker members of society).

Loyal reader FLHoneybee writes:

Hi Sandra:

I read with interest and a degree of sadness the article/viewed the video of the couple sentenced to life without parole for the beating murder of three year old–Serenity Richardson.

*Question*: I was curious as to why you did not mention the obvious smirk on the dominant Shanita’s face. I googled her booking photo and sure enough she is still smirking. This woman is a sociopath. The other woman is in tortured pain and it is obvious what has happened as in happens in a lot of relationships-gay or straight. One person is selfish sadistic/sociopathic–you like the term narcissistic. The entire relationship revolves around their whims and desires. The other is more passive, accommodating and dutiful. The woman Shanita beat Serenity, tortured and may have even molested her. The “duck” –Erica out of misplaced love, infatuation, –mental defect went along with it until—-horror–the child is dead. Now, it is like water on her face.

Erica’s mouth is turned down–sadness, resignation–acceptance –this is my fate-she has always been the weaker of the two. Shanita’s mouth is turned up–whatever, defiance, I will make the best of this, I’ve got a plan already. Her plan does not involve Erica–as these types move on quickly. When 911 was called it is fact Cunnigham left the scene. Typical sociopath. They never accept responsibility. Never. Her booking photo clearly shows–she is not the least bit concerned about being sentenced to life without parole at 25 years of age. The sociopath’s mantra: It is never my fault.

It would be in the best interest of Erica to be moved to another facility. Didn’t you read: she could have had a plea deal and chose not to detail what happened though Shanita left her at the scene.

What is interesting is there are people we know in these types of relationships. For whatever reason, their partner, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend can get them to go along with any scheme, mayhem, drama, until—tragedy. It is a very strange thing to watch. You know the friend with the husband always involved in the latest pyramid scheme. Your friend works 3 jobs and it is to support every scam her husband wants to “invest” in. People are poking fun at the lesbians in this tragedy—it happens every day in hetero and homesexual relationship.

As a middle school teacher, please know –I see this every day. You would be surprised (or maybe not) how quickly one student can have a legion of adoring followers–as he/she leads them right over a cliff. It is frightening. It begins with one girl carrying the popular girl’s bookbag–then–buying clothes–then giving money. It is amazing what people will do for love, friendship, companionship.

Feel free to post and address this very strange phenomenon in the human psychology.

Thank you for your always insightful social commentary.

FLHoneybee