Is it possible to commit murder while asleep? Sleepwalking has been used as a defense as early as 1846 when Albert J. Tirrell was acquitted of killing a prostitute named Maria Bickford due to sleepwalking. In modern times, the defense has been used about two dozen times around the world - resulting in at least five acquittals. There's no doubt that sleepwalkers are able to perform complex tasks while not awake, as videotapes of actual sleepwalkers reveal. But murder? A skeptic, a defense attorney, a prosecutor, a sleep expert and others weigh in on this controversial issue.
The sensational nature of the material makes this episode fascinating, but I felt unsatisfied by the arguments. Based on what we are shown, it seems likely in theory that committing murder while sleepwalking is possible - even though it's impossible to prove or disprove that this or that particular murder occurred during a sleepwalk. The skeptical side - represented in part by Benjamin Radford of "The Skeptical Inquirer" - seems to believe that it's highly unlikely not only in particular cases but in theory as well. But we don't get a full explanation for why. As a result, the presentation is more tantalizing than informative.
The sensational nature of the material makes this episode fascinating, but I felt unsatisfied by the arguments. Based on what we are shown, it seems likely in theory that committing murder while sleepwalking is possible - even though it's impossible to prove or disprove that this or that particular murder occurred during a sleepwalk. The skeptical side - represented in part by Benjamin Radford of "The Skeptical Inquirer" - seems to believe that it's highly unlikely not only in particular cases but in theory as well. But we don't get a full explanation for why. As a result, the presentation is more tantalizing than informative.
