Saturday, February 21, 2015

AMERICAN SNIPER’S KILLER SUFFERED FROM CANNABIS-INDUCED PARANOIA

A forensic psychologist testified that Eddie Routh had marijuana-induced psychotic symptoms when he killed Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield

On Friday, forensic psychologist Randall Price testified that Eddie Routh was not insane when he killed Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. Price, who had interviewed the defendant for 10 hours, testified Friday that Routh had "cannabis-induced psychotic symptoms" caused by constant pot smoking, combined with heavy drinking.

Price testified that Routh has a paranoid personality disorder, not a mental disorder. “I think he was experiencing psychotic symptoms, but I think it was because of the drugs, the marijuana.” Price said that is called “voluntary intoxication,” not insanity.

According to WFAA:

Price told jurors that cannabis-induced psychotic symptoms are more visual or smell-oriented, and can last for days or even a month. Jurors have been told Routh was upset by Chad Littlefield's cologne. Price said Routh has a "paranoid personality disorder," or a person who always thinks someone is trying to take advantage of them. He said a disorder is not mental illness. Price testified that marijuana abuse would increase the paranoia. "It heightens their suspiciousness," he said. "He angers easily."

Both Dr. Price and Dr. Michael Arambula, a forensic psychiatrist, agreed that Routh did not suffer from PTSD because as a Marine he never saw any combat during a deployment to Iraq and he never handled any dead bodies of hurricane victims while stationed in Haiti.

During the opening phase of the trial, Routh’s uncle James Watson had told the jury that he and his nephew smoked “strong” pot together just before Kyle and Littlefield picked Routh up on that fateful trip to a firing range. Watson testified that after he and his nephew ended their pot smoking session, his “buzz” lasted for another three hours. It stands to reason that Routh remained high for a similar period of time, thus putting him under the influence of marijuana at the time of the killings.

And they keep saying that smoking pot is harmless. Yeah, right. And pigs can fly.

1 comment:

bob walsh said...

Maybe he was suffering from PTSD for stressing out over whether or not he would be able to get enough pot to support his hobby of pot smoking?