Mrs smith psychology

© 2012 Laureate Education, Inc.

“Evaluating the Defendant” Program Introduction

Mr. Jack Smith is a 49-year-old, single Caucasian male who was arrested on December 6, 2011 for two counts of murder in the first degree. According to the police report, officers responded to a reported shooting at the residence of John and Jane Smith. When officers arrived at the scene, they observed the body of John Smith leaning against the house on the east side of the steps that enter into the laundry room. His wife, Jane Smith, was lying on the grass with her head in her husband’s lap. Both victims were bloodied and pronounced dead at the scene. Evidence indicated that Mrs. Smith had been shot while sitting in the front passenger side of her vehicle and dragged by her feet to where her body was lying. The witnesses who discovered the bodies stated that they were going to the Smith residence to visit, and when they drove up, they saw the bodies lying there. The victims’ son, Jack, came out of the home and told them to leave immediately because “something bad” had happened, and to notify the authorities. When police questioned Jack Smith, he reported that the day of the offense, his parents had gone to their Christian Church, and when they arrived home, Jack heard gunshots outside. He stated that there have been several home invasions in the past few weeks, and he heard his father arguing with someone outside 3 days ago. When asked about his parents, Mr. Smith told police that his father was a government spy who was trying to implant alien devices under Jack’s skin while he slept, and that his mother was a witch who was trying to poison him. Jack stated that he used to live on the planet Venus but could no longer afford the rent, so he had to move back home with his parents. He was unemployed at the time of the arrest and was under psychiatric care, but his medication compliance was unknown. After a brief investigation, Jack Smith was arrested for the murders of his parents. Mr. Smith was appointed a public defender by the court, and due to his psychiatric history, was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation to determine whether he was competent to stand trial. This is a small portion of the evaluation.