The Sleep Killer: The Man Who Killed in His Sleep and Was Acquitted in Court

The incident that occurred on the night of May 24, 1987, in Hamilton, Canada, not only changed the realms of medical science but also altered legal history. Kenny Parks, a 23-year-old ordinary young man, whose life was forever transformed by that one night.

After losing all his savings in horse racing, Kenny fell asleep in a state of despair. He intended to borrow money from his father-in-law the next morning to recover his losses. But fate had something else in store. What happened to Kenny that night, he himself doesn't remember, but its effects remained with him forever.

The Horrifying Scene of That Night

When all the residents of the city were in deep sleep, at 1:30 AM, Kenny suddenly got up from his bed. His eyes were open, he was standing straight, but the truth was that he was still sleeping. This was the strange condition of sleepwalking, where the body is awake but the brain remains asleep.

Without any consciousness, Kenny picked up his car keys, started the car, and traveled 23 kilometers to his in-laws' house. He completed this journey as if moving automatically. Every turn, every stop, every traffic light – he passed through it all without any awareness.

The Murderous Attack

Upon reaching his in-laws' house, he picked up a knife from the kitchen. What happened next became part of history. Kenny attacked his father-in-law, stabbing him nine times, which proved fatal. When his mother-in-law tried to intervene, she was also seriously injured. The entire incident was so terrifying that it sends shivers down the spine of anyone who hears it.

After this, Kenny, with his clothes and hands drenched in blood, went to the police station. The police officers were astonished to see his condition. He kept repeating the same sentence: "I think I've killed some people. I can't remember anything."

The Unique Case in Court

When this case reached the court, a unique legal battle began. Kenny's lawyers argued that their client was in a state of sleepwalking and was unaware of his actions. They presented evidence that Kenny had been a sleepwalker since childhood and that this problem ran in his family.

The lawyers emphasized that Kenny himself had informed the police about the incident, which was a clear sign of his innocence. He remembered nothing of the incident; he hadn't regained consciousness even after changing his blood-stained clothes.

Amazing Cases of Sleepwalking

There have been several sleepwalking cases worldwide that seem unbelievable but are true:

Lee Hadwin - The Artist Who Painted in His Sleep
The story of Lee Hadwin from Britain sounds like a movie plot.During the day, he was an ordinary nurse who couldn't even draw. But at night, when he slept, he would get up and create amazing paintings. Upon waking in the morning, he remembered nothing. The paintings he created in his sleep sold for thousands of dollars and were featured in exhibitions worldwide.

Sleep Cooking - The Chef Who Cooked in His Sleep
Another amazing case is of a person who would get up at night while asleep and cook complete meals.He would go to the kitchen, use all the spices, and prepare complex dishes. Upon waking in the morning, he remembered nothing, only finding the kitchen in a mess. This continued for months until his family installed cameras to record his activities.

Sleep Driving
There's also the famous case of a woman who drove 15 kilometers in her sleep to her relative's house.Upon waking, she remembered nothing. She couldn't understand how she had reached her cousin's house.

In the Words of Science - What is Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking, medically known as "somnambulism," is actually a complex sleep disorder. It occurs during the third stage of sleep (NREM Stage 3), which is the deep sleep phase. During this, the human brain and body are in a completely different state.

Performance of Brain Parts:

Frontal Lobe - This is the part responsible for decision-making, moral thinking, and logical reasoning. During sleepwalking, it becomes completely inactive. This is why sleepwalkers are unaware of their actions.

Amygdala - This is the center of emotions. During sleepwalking, it can become active, which is why sleepwalkers can sometimes enter states of anger or fear.

Hippocampus - This is the memory center. During sleepwalking, it remains inactive, which is why sleepwalkers remember nothing upon waking.

Brain Stem - This controls basic physical movements. It remains active during sleepwalking, which is why people can walk and perform tasks.

Complete Explanation of Sleep Stages:

NREM Stage 1 - This is the light sleep stage that lasts 5-10 minutes. One can easily wake up during this stage.

NREM Stage 2 - This is the initial stage of deep sleep. The heartbeat slows down, body temperature decreases. It lasts about 20 minutes.

NREM Stage 3 - This is the true deep sleep stage. It lasts 30-40 minutes. Sleepwalking occurs during this stage. It's very difficult to wake up during this phase.

REM Sleep - This is the dreaming stage. The brain is active but the body is paralyzed. It lasts about 10 minutes.

What Can a Person Do While Sleepwalking?

Research has proven that during sleepwalking, a person can not only walk but also do much more:

· Drive a car
· Cook food
· Have conversations
· Create paintings
· Play musical instruments
· Even commit murder

However, remember that despite all these activities, the person remains unaware of their actions and remembers nothing upon waking.

The Historic Court Decision

In Kenny Parks' case, after carefully examining all the evidence, expert testimonies, and medical reports, the court decided that Kenny was a victim of "automatism." The court stated that he could not be found guilty because he had no intention to kill.

The verdict stated: "A person cannot be punished for their dreams. When a person has no intention, they cannot be called a criminal."

Kenny was acquitted, but the court ordered that he be kept under medical supervision. He was instructed to undergo regular treatment.

Is Murder Possible During Sleepwalking?

This is the question that comes to everyone's mind. According to experts, yes, murder during sleepwalking is possible. In fact, there have been more than 20 verified cases worldwide where people have killed while sleepwalking.

From 1987 until now, several such cases have been registered in the United States, Canada, Britain, and Australia. They all have one thing in common - the criminal was unaware of their crime.

Causes of Sleepwalking

There can be several causes of sleepwalking:

· Family history (heredity)
· Lack of sleep
· Stress and anxiety
· Alcohol or drug use
· Certain medications
· Mental pressure
· Fever or illness

Safety Measures

Some precautionary measures are essential for sleepwalking patients:

· Sleep in a separate room
· Keep doors and windows closed
· Lock away dangerous objects
· Sleep on the floor
· Install alarm systems
· Get regular treatment from a doctor

Lessons and Outcomes

Kenny Parks' story teaches us several important lessons:

First lesson: The human brain remains a mystery to science. We still haven't completely understood its complexities.

Second lesson: Law should move together with human psychology and medical science. Intent is essential behind every crime.

Third lesson: Mental health and sleep problems should be taken seriously. Timely treatment can prevent bigger problems.

Final Word

Kenny Parks is still alive today and living an ordinary life. However, he goes to sleep with fear every night. He says: "I always fear that my body and brain might stand against me again."

This story reminds us that sometimes reality can be more amazing than fiction. And that justice doesn't just mean punishment, but understanding the truth and making decisions accordingly.