The obvious stance would be that he "wasn't himself, something inexplicably took hold of him," and he blacked out on the essential facts of the killing and its aftermath, ie. what triggered it, how it was accomplished, and much of what he thought and did afterward, except suddenly where that body is and perhaps how he got to that location. So he's now able to give them the body and at least an implicit confession only because of this delayed and unexpected "flashback."
Jekyll and Hide ring a bell?
This way he not only side-steps death row, but most importantly, does not have to admit to any of his lies about Lori and does not have to give up his sense of being in control of others. IOW, he gets to represent himself as a hapless victim who simply got caught up in the relentless grip of something he couldn't resist or even remember, thus preserving his identity of deceiver and manipulator, while also "defeating" the prosecutor and the hangman alike -- and, of course, it was all his own brilliant plan. I believe Hacking could accept that outcome if the gravity of the case against him appeared to warrant it. But Athay and the prosecutor must condition him for all this well in advance, starting now.
I can't speak to the conjecture about his sexuality.
Jekyll and Hide ring a bell?
I'll bet he wasn't himself the whole time he pretended to be in school, right down to sending out all those graduation announcements.
They could try and say he has a split personality...Jeckyl and Hyde insanity plea. I don't think a jury will buy it, unless they move the trial to San Francisco.
This way he not only side-steps death row, but most importantly, does not have to admit to any of his lies about Lori and does not have to give up his sense of being in control of others. IOW, he gets to represent himself as a hapless victim who simply got caught up in the relentless grip of something he couldn't resist or even remember, thus preserving his identity of deceiver and manipulator, while also "defeating" the prosecutor and the hangman alike -- and, of course, it was all his own brilliant plan.
We can know for almost certain that Hacking is going to prison for this, the most important thing right now is finding Lori. Whatever it takes. LE is hopefully looking up other agencies who have had sucess with this kind of technique.
I did read a news account in which one of his fellow missionaries stated he was recalled because he spent his time seducing a new convert, indulging in a variety of other vices (such as alcohol) and attempting to corrupt other missionaries.
I can't speak to the conjecture about his sexuality.
It's the convenience store clerk who said MH smoked cigarettes, that really got me. It's all verboten. Caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, not to mention the standard no no's in American society. He seduced a new convert? Boy or girl? If you look at his life, it would be pretty damn awful for a young man who had homosexual feelings, or was decidedly homosexual. It actually could have caused him to "split", so to speak.
How is this for pure speculation. He is gay. He's been gay for years, but can't stand the pressure and turns into either a sociopath or a narcissist. He goes through the motions to maintain support and identity in completely uptight SLC. (no offense anyone, but I'd hate to be a gay Mormon, or gay anything)He marries a girl whose family is close with his. He has absolutely no interest in higher education, family or babies. He drops out of college, but keeps up the charade. He's so good, they believe him without question.
This gives him not only an ego boost, but emboldens him to further lie and manipulate everyone. Did he have a gay lover in SLC? What about Chapel Hill? He went at least once to Chapel Hill to "scout the area". The problem with this is, if his lover is hiding in the closet, no one will ever know. I'm not saying if a person did exist, that he had anything to do with the murder. Chances are, this person would be revolted and horrified.
What if MH had a lover, and didn't mention he was married, but was looking to move into a more accepting enviroment. You have to realize that people like this juggle lies like some parents juggle soccer practices and play dates. All he had to do was tie up loose ends, and he would be out there. There lies the flaw in my suppositions. Oh well I'm not going to delete it. Some parts may have some merit.
Something LE might be doing is running MH through their unsolved crimes data base. I hope they are, anyway. I don't have the data, but many serial killers have had "unresolved homosexual desires". Or however you want to put it.
To all: I am not bashing homosexuals in general, nor am I insulting the Mormon Church.