Arias: Another Diagnosis

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Dissociative Amnesia

Battered Woman Syndrome

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Dr. Janeen DeMarte, a licensed clinical psychologist, took the stand yesterday as the first witness in the prosecution's rebuttal case.  Under direct examination, she destroyed the testimony of defense witnesses Dr. Richard Samuels and Alyce LaViolette.  Under cross-examination, Jennifer Willmott is looking petty and desperate in her attempt to devalue DeMarte's experience and opinions.  And although DeMarte's C.V. is lightweight in comparison to those of Samuels and LaViolette, it's clear to me she has at least been objective in her assessment of Arias where they clearly were not.  During pretrial investigation, DeMarte tested and evaluated Arias after Samuels but before LaViolette.  LaViolette testified she'd read Dr. DeMarte's report and, apparently, ignored it.

I have to interrupt to get snarky with Willmott.  You'd think she'd have had her hair professionally cut and highlighted, knowing she was going to be on television every day for four months.  I find her messy mop to be very distracting.  But maybe that was the plan.  Anyway, I've not had occasion to make fun of an attorney's hair since Marcia Clark's afro during the O. J. Simpson trial.  An omen?

Is BPD the correct diagnosis?  It's a step in the right direction, an indication of psychopathy, but I still believe Jodi's mental issues go far deeper.  Most people with BPD don't end up as killers, but inappropriate snap rage is certainly a hallmark of the disorder. 

Snark Alert:  Ms. Willmott, what part of "I don't remember" do you suddenly not understand?  Haven't you noticed Dr. DeMarte is actually answering your ridiculous questions when she can?  Are you making up this cross-examination as you go?  Are you even listening to the answers (you keep repeating the same questions over and over)?  Are you confused by having a credible and objective witness on the stand?  Are you seriously implying that Jodi's failure to report physical abuse is proof it actually happened just because that's what battered women do?  Thank God for a lunch break.  My BP was starting to rise.

Jodi and her defense team had a closed meeting with the Judge during the recess.  I noted Jodi appeared frightened when she returned to the courtroom... breathing heavily, swallowing hard and looking more pasty than normal.  The jury entered, then Judge Stephens advised them an issue had arisen and they were being excused for the day.  HLN talking heads all seemed to think Jodi must be feeling ill but I'm not so sure about that.