Bailey developed his case in conjunction with psychiatrist Louis Jolyon West and psychologist Margaret Singer . They had both studied the experiences of Korean War POWs . In 1996 Singer published her theories in her best-selling book '' Cults in Our Midst '' . In 2003 , the brainwashing defense was used unsuccessfully in the defense of Lee Boyd Malvo , who was charged with murder for his part in the D.C. sniper attacks . Some legal scholars have argued that the brainwashing defense undermines the law ’s fundamental premise of free will
D.C. sniper attacks
D.C. sniper attacks
Brainwashing