Robinson is biracial, although he usually passes for white. His deceased father was incarcerated for seven years for manslaughter. The father was often drunk and hit Barbara Brown, Robinson's mother. His parents divorced when he was three-years-old. He was sentenced to death for three crimes, but two of these were vacated. He’s currently appealing the remaining one.
Robinson’s Childhood
Robinson was an impulsive, moody, short-tempered and disruptive child. He spent much time in different juvenile detention centers and was nine-years-old when he was first arrested. There would be twelve more arrests in eight years, mainly for petty crimes. He fought authority figures and abused substances. Robinson was diagnosed with the psychiatric disorders that precede APD, Antisocial Personality Disorder, formerly called sociopathy and psychopathy; the difference being that psychopaths are imprisoned for their crimes.
Robinson’s Victims
Robinson was incarnated in a juvenile detention center for an unrelated crime between his first and second rape/murders.
- August 9, 1992: Joan Burghardt – assaulted, raped and murdered.
- June 9, 1993: Fifteen-year-old newspaper carrier Charlotte Schmoyer – stabbed, raped and murdered.
- June 20, 1993: Five-year-old girl – choked and raped – survived
- June 28 1993: Denise Sam-Cali – assaulted, choked, stabbed and raped – survived
- July 14, 1993: Jessica Fortney – assaulted and raped – murdered
He was apprehended on July 31, 1993 after the Allentown police set a trap. Sam-Cali, guarded by Officer Brian Lewis, was the bait. The police believed Robinson would try to kill her because she identified him. Her windows were open to allow easy access. Robinson entered via one. Lewis yelled for him to halt. Robinson reached for his weapon and the two exchanged gunfire. He eluded the police back-up units and went to Lehigh Valley Hospital where he was arrested and identified.
Forensic Psychiatrist: Robinson’s Defense Witness
Dr. Robert Sadoff testified that the defendant had substance dependency, hallucinations and APD, which contributed to his difficulty in meeting society’s norms. Children with these problems commit petty crimes and are aggressive. Sadoff stated that Robinson might have raped and killed to alleviate stress. He added that, if these children got help in a controlled environment at a young age, they could improve. Was he the psychiatrist whom former defense attorney James Burke referred to when he said the jury was advised to give Robinson a life sentence in prison where he could receive treatment? It’s rare that psychopaths can be rehabilitated. When cross-examined, Sadoff admitted that he would deem individuals who killed three times the way Robinson as serial killers.
Witnesses Testify for Robinson
When his half-sister, cousin and a friend took the stand, they said that he was a good companion, but had poor male role models: an alcoholic father and an older half-brother, George Robbins – criminals. Robbins stated he and Robinson converted to Islam, believed in humility and peace, then pleaded for mercy. Former defense attorney Carmen Marinellitold the jury that pity for victims shouldn’t be an issue in deciding whether a person would live or die. Judge Steinberg reminded them that Robinson showed no clemency to his victims.
Defense Attorney’s Portrait of Robinson
David Nicholls told the jury that Robinson was a troubled young man with a difficult past, but he had positive facets. He earned a high school equivalency diploma when he was sixteen, while in juvenile detention, because his IQ was high. When he attended Allentown’s Dieruff High School, he wrestled, played soccer and football and took part in cross-country sports. He won trophies. He was a good student, excelled academically and earned awards for his essays. Some teachers believed he had promise, but required a lot of support and guidance. Allegedly, he had a good relationship with a loving mother. No motive was given for Robinson’s crimes.
Robinson Fits Criteria for APD
Herve Cleckley was the pioneer in Sociopathy. He listed sixteen characteristics for the disorder. Robert Hare continued Cleckley’s work and expanded the criteria in his Psychopathy Checklist Revised, PCL-R. Hare's PCL-R, a diagnostic tool with twenty criteria on a rating scale used to evaluate antisocial tendencies, was originally designed to assess people accused or convicted of crimes.The PCL-R has two parts: an interview and an examination of the individual’s history and records. Many mental health professionals regard it as the best method to determine the presence and extent of psychopathy in people.
Psychopathy’s hallmark is having no conscience. Psychopaths prey on others using deceit, violence or any other method that gets them what they want. They’re selfish, exploitive, manipulative, non-empathic, unremorseful, impulsive and have an unstable, antisocial lifestyle, although they can be charming and exciting. Psychopaths exhibit dysfunctional behaviors and commit various crimes beginning from age thirteen to eighteen. There is no known single cure for these people.
Robinson: Latest News
On November 10, 1994, Harvey Miguel Robinson, Serial Killer was sentenced to death for Burghardt’s, Schmoyer’s and Fortney’s deaths. His death sentences for the first two crimes were vacated by Judge Edward Reibman in June 2001. On December 17, 2010, Robinson appealed to Reibman to vacate his death sentence for Fortney’s murder, claiming that important mitigating circumstances weren’t presented to the jury. We, who live in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, still wait for Reibman’s decision.
Aftermath of Robinson’s Appeal
Most residents of Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley are outraged by his request. The girl who who was raped, Sam-Cali and Fortney’s granddaughter live with what Robinson did. Burghardt’s, Schmoyer’s and Fortney’s families and friends deal with their loss. People lived in fear of the serial killer. Robinson psychologically damaged many people.
My son, daughter-in-law and grandson lived in the neighborhood where Robinson stalked and took precautions to be safe. I had a strange experience when I was on my way into Pathmark, in the same area, to grocery shop before Robinson was captured. I saw a man, wearing an odd hat, walk by me. I felt intense evil which stayed with me as I walked through the store, but was perplexed and had no idea why I felt this. I forgot about the encounter – until Robinson was arrested and I saw a picture of him wearing the hat. This was the man I saw! I still have the feeling when I see Robinson’s picture or him on TV news and wonder what Reibman’s decision will be.
Sources:
- Amerman, Kevin, Serial Killer Seeks to Avoid Death, 2010.
- Cleckley, Herve, The Mask of Sanity, Textbook Publishers © 2003.
- Hare, Robert D., Without Conscience, The Guilford Press © 1999
- Ramsland, Katherine, Harvey Robinson: Adolescent Serial Killer, 2006.
- Rosen, Ephraim & Ian Gregory, Abnormal Psychology, W. B. Saunders Company, © 1965.
Jill Stefko - I'd rather deal with the paranormal than human abnormal - having dealt extensively with both.
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