Philip Chism Trial Day 13 Part 2 12/09/15

TL;DR

Dr. Robert Kiner, an expert witness, provides testimony on his qualifications, background, and experience in forensic evaluation. He opines that Philip Chism, the defendant, did not suffer from a mental disease or defect at the time of the alleged offense.

Transcript

you stop right there and raise your right hand you solemnly swear the testimony you're about to give in the cause now in hearing shall be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth to help you God I do you may be seated come good morning doctor good morning honor a motion to sequester Witnesses in the case so until the evidence is over you... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Dr. Kiner's extensive qualifications and professional experience make him a credible expert witness in forensic evaluation.
• 😷 The forensic evaluation process involves gathering information about the individual's developmental history, reviewing medical and legal records, conducting interviews, and analyzing psychological testing results.
• 🥺 Dr. Kiner's evaluation of Philip Chism led him to conclude that Chism did not have a mental disease or defect and was capable of understanding the wrongfulness of his actions.
• 👪 The evaluation also considered Chism's family history of schizoaffective disorder, but it did not provide sufficient evidence to diagnose Chism with a psychotic disorder.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Dr. Kiner's educational background and professional experience?

Dr. Kiner has a bachelor's degree in political science and social sciences, a master's degree in philosophy, a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a child emphasis, and a law degree. He has worked as a senior administrator at William James College and has experience in forensic evaluation, including evaluations for delinquency matters, child abuse, neglect, and status offender cases.

Q: How long has Dr. Kiner worked for the juvenile court clinic?

Dr. Kiner has been involved with the juvenile court clinic since 1985. He served as a staff member, the director of juvenile court clinic services, and subsequently worked as an assistant commissioner at the Department of Mental Health.

Q: Did Dr. Kiner have any direct involvement in the evaluation of Philip Chism?

Yes, Dr. Kiner conducted interviews with Philip Chism, reviewed psychological testing reports by other experts, examined crime scene evidence, and gathered information from various sources to form his opinion on Chism's criminal responsibility.

Q: What was Dr. Kiner's opinion regarding Philip Chism's criminal responsibility?

Dr. Kiner opined that Philip Chism did not suffer from a mental disease or defect at the time of the alleged offense. He concluded that Chism had the capacity to understand the wrongfulness of his conduct and could conform his behavior to the requirements of the law.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dr. Kiner is an experienced forensic psychologist, holding various licenses and educational degrees.

• He has worked in the field of forensic evaluation and has extensive experience in evaluating children and adolescents with different mental illnesses.

• Dr. Kiner was retained to conduct a forensic evaluation of Philip Chism's criminal responsibility. He interviewed Chism, reviewed reports by defense experts, and conducted thorough research, including analyzing crime scene photographs and surveillance tapes.