31. Horrorhaus Höxter 2: Should we judge offenders for being ice cold?

This is part two of the shocking story of abuse and torture which marked the small German town of Höxter.

Angelika was called the ‘torture witch’, a psychopath, and a sadist.The truth about Angelika is more interesting. Her relationship with Wilfried took her down a dark path that made her testimony in court so hard to listen to that the judge called a break so everyone could get some air. But it’s not just the details that shocked people, her ice cold presentation was seen by many as proof that she was a Monster.

But, should she have been judged so harshly for her cold appearance in court? And what led her to willingly and enthusiastically describe every detail of her crimes?

In this episode of Bad People Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen discuss assumptions about psychopathy, whether autism can increase the risk of being the victim or perpetrator of violence, and how escalating and absurd rules are often a component of domestic violence that makes it hard to leave an abuser.

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of extreme violence. Presenters: Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen Producer: Simona Rata Music: Matt Chandler Editor: Rami Tzabar Academic Consultants for The Open University: Lara Frumkin and James Munro Commissioning Assistant Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins

Bad People is produced in partnership with The Open University and is a BBC Audio Science Production for BBC Sounds. #BadPeople_BBC