The use of theories in criminology strives to establish the motivations that individuals harbor before deciding to commit a crime. Establishing a motive for committing offenses has often been viewed as the premise to begin from if a state is to prevent such crimes in from taking place in future. Prevention of potential crimes from taking place is a priority of any government since the mandate given usually involves ensuring that its citizenry is protected (Joyce, 2013)
. Nonetheless, this is not always the case. There are numerous occasions when heinous crimes are committed by individuals where the security apparatus fail to guarantee safety for those living within its jurisdiction. Telltale signs might have been missed at a particular point in the assessment, which would see the perpetrator in question move with utter impunity and commit more criminal acts. A particular case in point was aired in episode 41 of The Fifth Estate investigating the case of Basil Borutski after his infamous triple murder. He was well known in the community and familiar with his victims, with the police department at pains to explain why this particular crime even took place. It is however striking that Borutski had not constantly been on the police radar since he had a checkered past indicating that he was prone committing violent criminal acts. Even with all these laid out facts; Borutski’s case can be explained using the Classical Theory as an appropriate theoretical perspective.
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Basil Borutski’s case, which included the murder of three women in Wilno, Ontario can be elucidated using the Classical Theory. From the documentary, it is clear that there was no evidence to suggest that Borutski had any mental illness that predisposed him to commit the crimes. He was known to his victims and had premeditated their deaths by carefully crafting and executing his plans. The description provided in the documentary is that of an intelligent man who took the time to make the necessary arrangements that would ultimately cause the deaths of three women. There is no evidence to suggest that there was a biological link in his actions since none of his family members had exhibited similar behavior. Nevertheless, the information specifically points out that he had been arrested earlier on for exhibiting violent behavior towards women (“Why Didn’t We Know? – Episodes – The Fifth Estate,” n.d.). Using the Classical Theory of crime makes it possible for an investigator to assess the Borustki’s demeanor. In the case of sane individuals, committing a crime boils down to free will. They, therefore, can decide whether or not to carry through with their plan and any reason provided afterward as a defense is merely treated as a scapegoat (Hagan, 2012, p. 56). Boruski was in his right frame of mind when he plotted the murder of Anastasia Kuzyk, Natalie Warmerdam, and Carol Culleton, even though he later tried to justify his actions. In his defense, he claimed that his actions were triggered by an incident when police officers assaulted him.
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The Classical Theory categorically states that crime is as a result of the individual’s rationality. A potential aggressor has the power to decide on whether or not to carry on with a planned assault on a potential victim. Borutski was by far an intelligent and educated fellow capable of making an independent evaluation of the issue he was being confronted with. Before he was a range of choices that he had to make and was fully aware of the consequences that he would have to contend with. Murder is a grave offense with severe consequences for those guilty of committing it. Borutski was aware of this fact and still went ahead and committed three murders within a relatively short span of time. From a psychological perspective, his morality had caved in, giving rise to an immoral version of human demeanor. He knowingly gave in to his demented desires and murdered the three women in cold blood even though they were not, in any way, involved in his alleged assault in the hands of the policed. Nonetheless, his actions cannot be justified when it is clear that he committed these atrocities on victims near him who would make easy targets. The behavior exhibited by the subject is consistent with that of elements that can weaken society. Every single individual can commit murder, but restraint is what prevents us from following through with such an obsolete response to situations (White, Haines, & Eisler, 2018). He is guilty of committing these atrocious acts of multiple-partner violence based on the fact that he was fully aware of his actions at that particular moment but does not refrain from committing the said crime.
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It is apparent from the documentary that Basil’s Borutski’s actions were not a knee-jerk or a spur of the moment reaction but an event that was meticulously planned. He knew where all his victims would be situated and the best time to attack them before making a conscious decision. As per the Classical Theory, his used his free will to make this decision while fully acknowledging its consequences.
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