Who is Louis Jolyon “Jolly” West? — America’s Untold Stories – With Eric Hunley and Mark Groubert

Louis Jolyon “Jolly” West was a prominent American psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry who conducted studies on the effects of mind control and psychological torture for the CIA’s infamous MKULTRA program. He is best known for his involvement with accused assassin Jack Ruby and his role in the infamous Ruby assassination trial.

West’s research focused on the effects of trauma, hypnosis, and mind control on victims of torture. He was the first to suggest that mind control could be used to make someone commit a crime against their will. He also explored the effects of electroshock therapy and psychosurgery on mental patients.

Jolly West comes up in so many odd places, doesn’t he? Jack Ruby, Sirhan Sirhan, Patty Hearst, Jim Jones, Timothy McVeigh — AND the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic.

The Best of Charles Burris