Ep 4. Amy Bishop

Amy Bishop was an accomplished scientist with a PhD in genetics. She was a tenured professor at the University of Alabama and had a promising future ahead of her. However, on February 12, 2010, everything changed.

On that day, Bishop attended a faculty meeting in which her request for tenure was denied. Witnesses reported that she became angry and started shooting her colleagues. Three people were killed and three more were injured before Bishop was subdued and taken into custody.

The episode explores Bishop's life leading up to the shooting and the events that unfolded in its aftermath. It delves into her background, her accomplishments, and her struggles.

Viewers learn that Bishop had a history of erratic behavior. She had been involved in several altercations, including one in which she had punched a woman in a restaurant. She had also been reprimanded for plagiarism and had been involved in a hit-and-run accident.

Despite these incidents, Bishop's colleagues had no idea that she was capable of violence. They were shocked when she pulled out a gun in the faculty meeting and started firing.

The episode examines the evidence presented in Bishop's trial, including testimony from witnesses and forensic evidence. It reveals that Bishop's actions were not impulsive but were premeditated. She had purchased the gun months in advance and had researched mass shootings on the internet.

Bishop testified in her own defense, claiming that she could not remember the shooting and that she had suffered from a dissociative episode. However, the evidence did not support her claims, and she was found guilty of three counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The episode concludes by examining the impact that the shooting had on Bishop's family and colleagues. It also explores the question of whether the shooting could have been prevented if Bishop had received the mental health treatment she needed.

Overall, the episode provides a detailed and compelling look at the life and crimes of Amy Bishop. It highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and the devastating consequences that can result from unchecked rage.