The 15 subjects received psychiatric evaluations which included detailed family, social, educational, and medical histories. In 12 cases, information obtained from the subjects was confirmed by close relatives. In 10 cases, clinical evaluation records were reviewed. The data indicate murderous behaviors of parents toward children in 8 cases and ongoing hostility and neglect through childhood and adulthood for 13 of the subjects. Twelve subjects were not only themselves abused in childhood but also witnessed violence toward siblings, between parents, and between relatives and friends. Such childhood abuse may have contributed to the murderous violence of the subjects due to the modeling of violent behavior, the organic consequences of abuse, displaced rage, and the lack of parental attachment. The families' continuing hostility toward the subjects, even to the point of some family members testifying against them, and family members' concealment of the history of childhood abuse, may have obscured mitigating factors than could have reduced sentencing harshness. 28 references.