A Neurocriminological and Nutritional Neuroscience Exploration of the “Twinkie Defense”: A Look Back and Lessons Learned

In The People v. White (1979), Dan White’s legal team employed a legal strategy that has since become widely known as the “Twinkie Defense.” Specifically, his lawyers argued that White’s diet, which included an over-reliance on unhealthy foods, contributed to White’s diminished capacity at the time of the crime. White was ultimately found guilty of voluntary manslaughter instead of first-degree murder. In the decades since The People v. White, research has reported correlational evidence that links unhealthy foods (e.g., fatty and sugary foods) to problematic behaviors like delinquency, aggression, and crime. In this innovative training, attendees will explore critical questions about the role of nutrition in problematic behaviors. This will include a retrospective analysis of the case, examinations of how diet may be linked to crime, careful consideration of myths and controversies, and explorations of potential implications for interventions. Other topics discussed in this training include Western diet, cognition, emotional dysregulation, impulsive behaviors, mental health conditions, hormonal dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, central nervous system dysfunction, blood sugar dysregulation, nutritional deficiencies, junk food, excessive sugar consumption, biological despair, HPA axis dysregulation, inflammation, and sleep disturbances to name a few. Peer-reviewed research from nutritional neuroscience and neurocriminology will be highlighted throughout this training.

Training Objectives:
• Provide a critical overview of the “Twinkie Defense”
• Develop a working knowledge of neurocriminology and nutritional neuroscience research findings
• Compare and contrast the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy diets and their implications for mood, behavior, cognition, and physical health
• Explore the role of nutrition in problematic behaviors
• Discuss how diet-focused interventions could decrease the risk of future behavioral problems

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), intellectual and developmental disabilities, confabulation, suggestibility, memory, Miranda rights comprehension issues, sleep disturbances, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.