Applying Theories of Criminality | Mackenzie Shirilla

After recently watching the new Netflix documentary The Crash, I was reminded of a paper I wrote for my master’s in forensic psychology, Criminal Behavior course. The case I chose for the theories of criminality was, in fact, MacKenzie Shirillia.

This was written in March of 2024. To all of my Forensic Psych’s out there, was it justified that I received an “A” on this paper for getting it right? This case has so much more concerning nurture than nature, though I do feel like MacKenzie does have a personality disorder. I am not a doctor; I am just a nurse with an MS in Forensic Psych and fascinated by how the mind works. For these are just my opinions…

Various factors may influence someone to commit a crime, and theories are developed to help explain why. The theories of social structure, labeling, and neutralization can be used to better understand juvenile delinquency and the crimes that these young people commit. Some theories might be more beneficial than others. With the knowledge from the supportive theory, the juvenile justice system can take specific actions to address these crimes.

Mackenzie Shirilla, 19, was found guilty of murder in August 2023 in connection with the deaths of Davion Flanagan, 19, and her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20. In addition to permanently suspending her driver’s license, she will be given credit for time served. The teenager from Ohio, known as “hell on wheels,” received two concurrent sentences ranging from 15 years to life after it was found that she had deliberately crashed her car into a building at 100 mph, killing her boyfriend and his friend (Lenthang, 2023).

It is possible to explain why Mackenzie Shirilla committed this crime using three theories of crime. The three theories are the social control theory, labeling theory, and neutralization theory. There is an explanation for Shirilla’s criminal activity in every theory. Since these are merely explanations, the theories have flaws. These theories’ foundations aim to comprehend rather than enumerate relevant facts.

The way criminals view themselves and their behavior is related to the theory of neutralization. A criminal may avoid feeling guilty or accountable for their actions by downplaying the reasons behind, the nature of, or the seriousness of their offense. The mental and emotional process of making abnormal behaviors appear less disrespectful of social norms, standards, and laws is called neutralization (Dziack, 2023). Even though most people are raised with a fundamental sense of right and wrong, those who commit wrongdoings may come to believe that their actions are harmless, neutral, or even constructive. Social constraints can be broken down, and crime and criminal attitudes can sharply rise when these dubious views are fostered and adopted, and spread to others (Dziack, 2023). In her sentencing remarks, the judge mentioned that Shirilla seemed worried about losing her license even after the collision. During the inquiry, Shirilla requested that her only punishment be a ten-year suspension of her license. The judge said, “It is difficult to understand how someone who has just been accountable for two deaths could be worried about their driving privileges.” (Lenthang, 2023).

According to the sociological and criminological theory known as “labeling theory,” when society responds negatively and strongly to someone’s wrongdoing, it can make that person even more deviant. Formal labeling increases deviance in two ways, according to the theory, which draws on symbolic interactionism. The first is having a detrimental effect on a person’s self-perception. Preventing access to traditional opportunities is the second method (Vance, 2021). In certain subcultures, labeling is a common way for young people to identify themselves. However, it can also be a harmful way for society to become more divided. The media and other authoritarian organizations, such as the Criminal Justice System and political interference, can also contribute to society’s labeling of youth, triggering a domino effect (Saxby, 2020).

The prosecution claimed during the trial that Shirilla crashed to end their relationship because she had turned erratic and aggressive toward her boyfriend (Lenthang, 2023). She allegedly threatened to wreck her car while driving with Russo two weeks before the collision because she was angry about a disagreement they had had. After Russo called his mother to request pickup, a friend brought him back. The friend claimed to have heard Shirilla say, “I will crash this car right now,” during a phone call with Russo. According to reports, Shirilla “made multiple threats” to Russo in the month of the crash (Lenthang, 2023). Prosecutors claimed in court documents that she was heard “repeatedly degrading Dominic, threatening him, and damaging his property” during an altercation captured on tapes that were recovered from his phone. When he refused to let her into his house, she allegedly threatened to break the door handle and to key his car (Lenthang, 2023). Before her arrest, Shirilla reportedly boasted about her tolerance for drugs in a TikTok video that she had uploaded. The teenager’s terrifying TikTok video, in which she brags about feeling immortal, reappeared following her conviction. Shirilla writes, “I am not even cool,” in a social media post. I am just one of those girls who can use drugs excessively without getting killed.”(Reilly, 2023).

Before Shirilla, then 17 years old, without even trying to apply the brakes, slammed her car into the brick wall of a warehouse in the Cleveland suburb of Strongsville, and it was thought that the three of them had been smoking cannabis before the collision (Reilly, 2023). Social bond theory in criminology, which views crime as a result of the absence of strong social ties, is comparable to social control theory in that regard. People are likely to refrain from crime if they are fairly rewarded for their pro-social behavior and penalized for deviating. This is achieved through three main mechanisms: sufficient needs satisfaction, internal conscience, and external identification with positive role models in one’s social circle (Cunnington, 2023). The prosecution played TikTok videos of Shirilla enjoying Halloween and attending a concert after the crash, before the sentencing. Shirilla’s mother told the judge during the victim’s testimony that she only took herself out on these outings because her daughter had been spending months sobbing in her room next to a shrine she had built of Dominic Russo. “Since she does not remember this terrible accident, I am pleading for mercy. Natalie Shirilla remarked, “Davion is a new friend. “What does that mean — his life was worthless?” interrupted the judge. Natalie Shirilla apologized to the victims’ families and withdrew her statement (Lenthang, 2023).

Neutralization, labeling, and social control are the three theories; in Mackenzie Shirilla’s case, neutralization is the most beneficial. The primary cause of Shirilla’s conduct and deeds is her approval of her violent past. No one ever seemed to call Shirilla out on her erratic behavior towards her boyfriend, nor did they take her threats seriously. Even after she was found guilty of purposely driving her car into a brick wall at over 100mph and taking the lives of two individuals, her mother asked the judge for leniency. Shirilla herself was confused about why she could not simply have her driver’s license suspended as punishment for the intentional act she had committed. In her verdict, the judge called Shirilla “literally hell on wheels,” stating that she deliberately drove down a path she had not used in days but had visited when few witnesses were present. The judge shared blistering remarks and condemned Shirilla’s actions, saying: “She had a mission, and she executed it precisely. The mission was death.” (Lenthang, 2023).

References

Cunnington, T. (2021). Social control theory. Salem Press Encyclopedia. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspxdirect=true&AuthType=shib&db=ers&AN=905 58457&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=s6527200

Dziak, M. (2021). Neutralization theory. Salem Press Encyclopedia. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspxdirect=true&AuthType=shib&db=ers&AN=133 861169&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=s6527200

Lenthang, M. (2023). ‘Hell on wheels’ teen who killed boyfriend and his friend in a crash is sentenced to 15 years to life. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hell wheels-teen-killed-boyfriend-friend-crash-sentenced-15-years-life-rcna100928

Reilly, P. (2023). Mackenzie Shirilla bragged about drug use on TikTok before killing her boyfriend in a 100-mph crash. New York Post. https://www.nypost.com/2023/08/17/mackenzie shirilla-bragged-about-drug-use-on-tiktok-before-arrest-for-murdering-boyfriend-in deliberate-100-mph-car-crash-report/

Saxby, G. (2020). Theories of juvenile offending: strain theory, social control, labeling, and inequality. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340965368_Theories_of_Juvenile_Offending_s train_theory_social_control_labelling_and_inequality

Vance, N. (2021). Labeling theory. Salem Press Encyclopedia. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspxdirect=true&AuthType=shib&db=ers&AN=891 85563&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=s6527200

Originally published at https://missingminutes.substack.com.