I, too, maintained an attitude of skepticism. Hardly a day went by when I wasn’t pulled one way and then the other. But during the two years I worked with Milligan on this book, the doubt I felt when his recalled acts and experiences seemed incredible turned to belief when my investigation showed them to be accurate.

That the controversy still absorbs Ohio newspapers can be seen from an article in the Dayton Daily News of January 2, 1981—three years and two months after the last crimes were committed:

Fake or Victim? Either Way,

Milligan Case Illuminating

by Joe Fenley

William Stanley Milligan is a troubled man living a troubled existence.

He is either a con man who has duped society and beaten the rap for violent crimes or he is an authentic victim of a multiple personality disorder. Either way its a bad scene …

Only time will tell whether Milligan has played the world for a fool or is one of its saddest victims …

Perhaps the time is now.

D.K.

Athens, Ohio January 3, 1981

The People Inside

The Ten

The only ones known to psychiatrists, attorneys, police and the media at the time of the trial.

1. William Stanley Milligan (“Billy”), 26. The original, or core, personality, later referred to as “the unfused Billy,” or “Billy-U.” High school dropout. Six feet tall, 190 pounds. Blue eyes, brown hair.

2. Arthur; 22. The Englishman. Rational, emotionless, he speaks with a British accent. Self-taught in physics and chemistry, he studies medical books. Reads and writes fluent Arabic. Though he is staunchly conservative and considers himself a capitalist, he is an avowed atheist. The first to discover the existence of all the others, he dominates in safe places, deciding who in the “family” will come out and hold the consciousness. Wears glasses.

3. Ragen Vadascovinich, 23. The keeper of hate. His name is derived from “rage-again.” Yugoslavian, he speaks English with a noticeable Slavic accent, and reads, writes and speaks Serbo-Croatian. A weapons and munitions authority as well as a karate expert, he displays extraordinary strength, stemming from the ability to control his adrenaline flow. He is a communist and atheist. His charge is to be the protector of the family, and of women and children in general. He dominates the consciousness in dangerous places. Has associated with criminals and drug addicts, and admits to criminal, sometimes violent behavior. Weighs 210 pounds, has enormous arms, black hair and a long, drooping mustache. He sketches in black and white because he is color-blind.

4. Allen, 18. The con man. A manipulator, he is the one who most often deals with outsiders. He is an agnostic, and his attitude is, “Make the best of life on earth.” He plays the drums, paints portraits and is the only one of the personalities who smokes cigarettes. Has a close relationship with Billy’s mother. Same height as William, though he weighs less (165). Hair parted on right, he is the only one who is right-handed.