Revisionist History: The Alabama Murders The Alabama Murders - Part 6: The Porterfield Sessions
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Oct 30, 2025 In this episode, Kate Porterfield, a trauma expert and clinical psychologist, sheds light on the harrowing experiences of Kenny Smith following a botched execution. She discusses Kenny's psychological state and the traumatic imprint left by mock executions. Kate shares insights into Kenny's troubled childhood, familial abuse, and how these factors shaped his violent path. With personal anecdotes, she connects cycles of trauma and parental love, illustrating the profound impact of early harm on adult behavior.
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Botched Execution's Immediate Trauma
- Kate Porterfield recounts Kenny Smith's botched execution and its immediate psychological aftermath.
- He endured prolonged poking, inversion, and confusion between being killed and spared, which left him deeply traumatized.
Mock Executions Imprint Terror Physically
- Mock executions create a profound physiological imprint linking memory to terror and bodily responses.
- That linkage makes recounting the event trigger overwhelming physical and emotional collapse.
Confusing Mix Of Violence And Compassion
- Porterfield recounts how guards alternated attempts to kill Kenny with gestures like 'I'll be praying for you,' creating cognitive chaos.
- That oscillation between violence and compassion contributed to his post-event unmanageability.