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A state psychiatrist contested testimony Tuesday that Sutherlin teen Kelly Erin Irwin's mental issues clouded her ability to intentionally harm 14-year-old Troy Alexander Anderson.
Bill Marshall, senior deputy district attorney, called the doctor to the stand during his rebuttal of the defense in Irwin's murder trial.
Dr. Scott Reichlin, director and supervising psychiatrist for the Oregon Department of Human Services Forensic Evaluation Service, testified that he believes Irwin's mental illness did not affect her ability to form intent, as it is defined under state law.
"The defendant did have the capacity to act intentionally," Reichlin said.
Irwin's defense team argues the girl's severe form of bipolar disorder, coupled with her underdeveloped adolescent brain, kept her from grasping the circumstances she found herself in with Rebecca Ann Machain in September 2004. Both girls were 15 at the time they allegedly conspired to kill Anderson.
Reichlin, however, has diagnosed Irwin with cyclothymia, a lesser diagnosis, but within the spectrum of bipolar disorders. He said based on Irwin's descriptions of the shooting, he also does not believe Irwin was experiencing the symptoms of her disorder at the time.
He said there were several parts of her story that indicated to him that she was "consciously aware" of what was transpiring and the context in which it was taking place.
As to whether her adolescent brain would affect her ability to form intent, Reichlin said, that would be highly unlikely for a 15-year-old.
Defense attorney Peter Fahy, who had mental health experts who work primarily with children testify last week, had Reichlin remind the court that he works mostly with adults.
Fahy also questioned Reichlin as to whether he stays current on research regarding youth with such disorders, to which he replied he does not.
Reichlin said however, that some new research is controversial and needs to be time tested before it can be relied upon fully.
Fahy told the doctor about the testimony that has been heard in the trial from Irwin's friends, counselors and juvenile workers. All testified to the teen's unusual mood swings, which Fahy and his doctors say are symptoms of bipolar.
Reichlin said it would have been helpful to have been able to hear from all of such sources when he evaluated Irwin, but that his diagnosis stands.
"My diagnosis is not that much different than theirs," he added.
* You can reach reporter Chelsea Duncan at 957-4246 or by e-mail at cduncan@newsreview.info.
Bill Marshall, senior deputy district attorney, called the doctor to the stand during his rebuttal of the defense in Irwin's murder trial.
Dr. Scott Reichlin, director and supervising psychiatrist for the Oregon Department of Human Services Forensic Evaluation Service, testified that he believes Irwin's mental illness did not affect her ability to form intent, as it is defined under state law.
"The defendant did have the capacity to act intentionally," Reichlin said.
Irwin's defense team argues the girl's severe form of bipolar disorder, coupled with her underdeveloped adolescent brain, kept her from grasping the circumstances she found herself in with Rebecca Ann Machain in September 2004. Both girls were 15 at the time they allegedly conspired to kill Anderson.
Reichlin, however, has diagnosed Irwin with cyclothymia, a lesser diagnosis, but within the spectrum of bipolar disorders. He said based on Irwin's descriptions of the shooting, he also does not believe Irwin was experiencing the symptoms of her disorder at the time.
He said there were several parts of her story that indicated to him that she was "consciously aware" of what was transpiring and the context in which it was taking place.
As to whether her adolescent brain would affect her ability to form intent, Reichlin said, that would be highly unlikely for a 15-year-old.
Defense attorney Peter Fahy, who had mental health experts who work primarily with children testify last week, had Reichlin remind the court that he works mostly with adults.
Fahy also questioned Reichlin as to whether he stays current on research regarding youth with such disorders, to which he replied he does not.
Reichlin said however, that some new research is controversial and needs to be time tested before it can be relied upon fully.
Fahy told the doctor about the testimony that has been heard in the trial from Irwin's friends, counselors and juvenile workers. All testified to the teen's unusual mood swings, which Fahy and his doctors say are symptoms of bipolar.
Reichlin said it would have been helpful to have been able to hear from all of such sources when he evaluated Irwin, but that his diagnosis stands.
"My diagnosis is not that much different than theirs," he added.
* You can reach reporter Chelsea Duncan at 957-4246 or by e-mail at cduncan@newsreview.info.
