The Case of Joseph Westbecker

“The Case of Joseph Westbecker” discusses the life of Joseph Westbecker and the conditions and circumstances surrounding his decision to open fire on a group of former employees. Reports state Westbecker to be subject to ridicule at times being called Westbecker the Whacko or the sicko. At a time in Westbecker’s life he may want to have turned to those closest to him, he instead turns the people who cared about him most away. Instead he starts collecting weapons becoming a groupie of violence subscribing to violent magazines. In any case, Westbecker in the midst of failed suicide attempts turns his frustrations on seven former co-workers of the Standard Gravure before killing himself. Survivors of the ordeal through a civil case receive a settlement from Eli Lilly the makers of Prozac. Westbecker is prescribed Prozac at the time as this case sets the tone for similar litigation.