The Role of Forensic Psychology in Court Cases

Introduction

The field of forensic psychology offers a fascinating avenue of study for those interested in delving into the psyche of criminals and assessing their mental fitness to stand trial. The American Psychological Association defines forensic psychology as "the application of clinical expertise to the legal arena." In court proceedings, a psychologist is often authorized to conduct interviews with the accused to determine their mental state at the time of the alleged crime. In some jurisdictions, if it is determined that an individual was not in their right mind during the commission of the offense and lacked the capacity to understand the wrongfulness of their actions, the case may be classified as an insanity case and potentially dismissed. The assessment of whether an accused person was mentally sound at the time of the crime is typically the domain of forensic psychologists. It's worth noting that many defense attorneys seek to use an insanity plea for their clients, although such pleas are frequently rejected by juries.

The Importance of Forensic Psychology: Examples of Cases

A noteworthy example from August 2007 is the case of John Couey, who was charged with the abduction, rape, and murder of Jessica Lunsford. His defense attempted to argue that he should be declared legally insane, citing his low IQ and a history of mental abuse. However, the jury ultimately opted for the death penalty rather than a life sentence. Psychologist Harry McClaren was brought in to assess Couey and his associates. McClaren's findings revealed that Couey exhibited the ability to function effectively in daily life, despite any mental challenges. McClaren's interviews with Couey and others uncovered that Couey had held jobs in a factory and construction, which are known for their complex duties and safety requirements. This evidence suggested that Couey possessed an understanding of right and wrong. McClaren concluded, "In my opinion, he was able to function at a level higher than would be expected of a person with mental retardation." Subsequently, Couey passed away in prison due to cancer.

Another noteworthy case is that of Andrea Yates, who was convicted in 2002 of killing three of her five children. Initially found guilty and legally sane during her first trial, her conviction was overturned due to incorrect testimony provided by Park Dietz, M.D. During her subsequent trial, it was revealed that Yates had suffered severe postpartum depression after each childbirth, experiencing hallucinations and making suicide attempts. She had a history of being in and out of mental institutions. In her defense, several psychologists testified that she was not of sound mind during the crimes. The American Psychiatric Association Vice President, Nada Stotland, M.D., expressed her belief that it was heartbreaking for Yates to have been initially convicted. The jury eventually rendered a verdict of "innocent by reason of insanity," leading to Yates being placed in a mental institution. However, her treatment was discontinued when her insurance ceased coverage, and she was left alone with her remaining children.

In the case of Lisa Montgomery, she was found guilty of killing Bobbie Jo Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant at the time. Montgomery attempted to convince the court that she suffered from "Pseudocyesis," a condition that causes a woman to falsely believe she is pregnant. However, the jury rejected this defense and sought the death penalty for her. Mental health experts, including two hired by the defense, testified that Montgomery suffered from this rare medical condition, making her believe she was pregnant and acting in a delusional state when she committed the crime. The prosecution introduced its own forensic psychologist, Dr. Park Dietz, who argued that there was enough evidence to suggest that Montgomery knew she wasn't pregnant and was not suffering from pseudocyesis. The jury ultimately found Montgomery guilty and sentenced her to death.

In 2014, Zakieya Avery faced charges for the murder of her two youngest children during what she believed to be an exorcism. Monifa Stanford, a friend of Avery's, was also implicated in the murders. Avery's defense claimed that she was not "criminally responsible" for her actions at the time of the killings due to her history of mental illness and her belief that it was the right thing to do for her children. Evaluations by a forensic psychiatric hospital resulted in different conclusions for Avery and Stanford. State doctors concluded that Stanford was delusional to the extent that her mental illness overrode rational thought, leading to her commitment to Perkins psychiatric hospital. On the other hand, Avery was deemed mentally competent during the crime and aware that her actions were wrong. The judge ruled that Avery was criminally insane and committed her to a maximum-security psychiatric hospital rather than a prison.

Conclusion

In summary, forensic psychologists play a significant role in court cases, particularly in matters related to insanity. Their assessments involve a series of tests and interviews with the accused, as well as inquiries into the individual's life and relationships. These evaluations help determine whether the accused can assimilate into society, hold regular employment, and establish social connections, akin to most individuals. Psychology plays a substantial, though often overlooked, role in the legal field. A substantial portion of court cases pertains to insanity claims, necessitating the involvement of forensic psychologists. One cannot hastily conclude that an individual who commits a gruesome act, such as murder with a chainsaw, is mentally unstable at the time of the crime. Determining mental state requires expertise and extensive interviewing of various individuals to reach a valid conclusion.

References

1. American Psychological Association. (2020). Forensic Psychology. https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2013/09/forensic-psychology
2. Reddy, V. (2007). Death penalty for Jessica Lunsford's killer. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3044321&page=1
3. CNN. (2006). Yates Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity in Deaths of Children. https://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/07/26/yates.trial/index.html
4. ABC News. (2007). Mom in Child Stabbing Deemed Insane. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3982656&page=1
5. Goldstein, A. (2021). Lisa Montgomery, only woman on federal death row, dies by lethal injection. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lisa-montgomery-only-woman-federal-death-row-set-be-executed-n1253580
6. Salfati, C. G., & Saß, H. (2018). Forensic assessment of criminal responsibility. The Wiley Handbook of Forensic Clinical Psychology, 249-263.
7. Melton, G. B., Petrila, J., Poythress, N. G., & Slobogin, C. (Eds.). (2018). Psychological Evaluations for the Courts: A Handbook for Mental Health Professionals and Lawyers. The Guilford Press.