Another day, another battle between Arizona Prosecutor Juan Martinez and a defense witness. This time, he took on "expert witness" for the defense, Dr. Richard Samuels. Dr. Samuels is an individual who interviewed Jodi Arias twelve times over a period of 4-5 years, and who has diagnosed her as having PTSD and amnesia. Arias attorney Kathleen Willmott continued questioning Samuels today in an effort to explain away the memory issues (aka "the fog") Jodi Arias has relating to the actual stabbing/slashing of Travis Alexander.
Samuels is a paid witness - make no mistake about it, his report more than likely was tailor made to fit the Arias defense theories. Her memory issues are the least of her problems. Just because she claims to not remember what she did to Travis Alexander, that in no way relinquishes her responsibility nor does it alter the absolute savage nature of this murder.
Dr. Samuels has explained the function of various sections of the brain, and how some areas will shut down and effect a persons memory because they essentially do not create memories of stressful events. Could it really be that simple? No memory created and therefore nothing to remember? Arias' amnesia is very convenient - since she does remember things immediately before and shortly thereafter, it's the actual stabbing/slashing she doesn't remember. She admittedly remembers removing items from the crime scene that would implicate her, so I have a hard time believing she was in some "dissociative state" of mind.
This testimony sickens me, attempting to create sympathy and give Arias excuses for lying and covering act this brutal act. What about Travis Alexander? We haven't heard one word from the defense on how terrified he must have been being trapped in the shower and/or the bathroom while being shot, viciously stabbed and having his throat slashed by a woman he allowed into his life and into his home. I can't imagine how painful his death was or how confused he must have been once he realized what was happening. We are supposed to feel empathy for Jodi Arias because she shakes when people raise their voices at her?
Arias could not fool Detective Flores or the Mesa Police Department - it's hard to tell if Dr. Samuels actually believes what Arias told him, or if he is giving the opinion he is being paid handsomely for. They could parade 10 experts to the stand and it wouldn't change the facts of the case or make her less liable. The facts of the case reveal that Jodi Arias had minor injuries immediately after this "life and death" struggle she had with Travis Alexander. The crime scene and autopsy photos tell any reasonable person that this was never a fight or struggle between two people fighting for their lives. It was a blitz attack on Travis, and it appears he never had a chance. She had him relaxed and with his guard down in that shower, and the first stab wound probably sent him into shock, but Arias was far from finished.
She incapacitated him and while he was unable to protect himself, she unleashed a rage that had been building up inside of her for months. She didn't stop until he was no longer moving. If he ever did have a chance to fight back, I'm certain Jodi Arias would have been injured. He was stronger and bigger than she was.
Juan Martinez finally got his shot at Dr. Samuels today, and he wasted no time in discrediting many things Samuels said and did during his appointments with Jodi Arias. Among the highlights: Samuels administered the PTSD test to Arias BEFORE she admitted to killing Travis Alexander. When he found out that she had taken the test while still sticking with the two armed intruder story, did he re administer the test? No. He didn't. Martinez got him to admit that it would've been the prudent thing to do!
In addition, Martinez pulled some of Samuels dirty laundry out of the hamper. It seems he was fined and/or censured for conflicts of interest involving some women he previously treated. He has a history of "crossing boundaries" with people he has treated or done assessments on. He also gave Arias a self-help book, another no-no since he wasn't technically treating Arias, just assessing her. Martinez also questioned Samuels as to why he used a pencil while testing or grading Arias's PTSD test instead of a pen. Did he use a pencil so he could alter Arias's answers? He denied altering anything.
By the time Juan Martinez was done with Samuels, he didn't seem like such a great witness anymore. Good job Mr. Martinez!! Until tomorrow.....
MY CRIMETIME BY MY FORTE. A DISCUSSION OF MURDERS IN THE NEWS.
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I think the defense is grasping at straws now.. the
ReplyDeletebottom line is she slaughtered Travis, in a jealous rage,
the defensive wounds speak for themselves. His hands &
the back & head proves he was no threat to her, but she
still stabbed 29 times, slit his throat & shot him, No way
is this self defense. I pray that justice will be served & his
family has some closure.
Anonymous - you hit the nail on the head. Her memory issues in no way effect the crime in that she went to his home with at least a gun, and maybe a knife. Nobody believes Travis owned or kept a gun in his closet. If the jury believes Arias lied about the gun, they more than likely will conclude that she fabricated 99% of her testimony. IMHO, she's cooked. It's over - it's just a matter of LWOP or the death penalty. Anything less would be a travesty of justice.
DeleteRichard Samuels, A.K.A. Doctor Fog, Hammered by Juan Martinez Over Jodi Arias' Alleged Memory Loss
ReplyDeleteBy Ray SternMon., Mar. 18 2013 at 5:37 PM
Via Phoenix New Times (The only legit Newspaper in Arizona)
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2013/03/richard_samuels_aka_doctor_fog.php
Then Martinez made his point: Samuels didn't administer another test even after he learned Arias had lied.
"That was an oversight and I should have done that," the doc said.
oops!
Anonymous (3/18/13 8:23PM),
DeleteI know! That was so shocking to me, when he admitted that he never re-tested Arias after finding out her answers were based around one of the untrue stories she told. Even an intern would know that would invalidate any results from the test. I don't believe his testimony should be trusted based on that alone. He was willing to give an opinion on her test results knowing she was lying to him about the murder. That is so unethical I think he should be censured again - he's in court, for God's sake! How could he be allowed to do that, especially given that he's supposed to be an expert witness, and he's being paid for his opinion which makes it all even more unethical. This is a prime example of why we should not allow expert witnesses to be paid for anything other than travel expenses. I could not believe it when he said he didn't re-test her! Instead, he says something like "yes, I guess it would have been prudent for me to re-test". Are you kidding me?? And this is the best Arias & Co. can do? They are in deep trouble.
Richard M. Samuels, Ph.D.
ReplyDeletehttp://svpexpertwitness.com/default.asp
This man is a total fraud!
check out his education......
It's all Private "Degree Mills"
His picture looks like 1974!
Check This Out....
Dr. Richard M. Samuels, PHD
Clinical Psychologist
Patient Ratings (Must See)
http://www.everydayhealth.com/doctors/dr-richard-m-samuels-phd-67165551
You don't know what you are talking about. Samuels graduated from the City University of New York, which at the time had very high academic standards, in order to be admitted, as well as high standards, in order to be retained. In fact, Gen. Colin Powell is also a graduate of the City Univesity of New York (CCNY).
ReplyDeleteAnonymous (from 3/19/13),
DeleteSorry, most people leave "anonymous" comments so I have to identify you by date/time! Everybody who leaves comments is certainly entitled to their own opinions - it's documented that this doctor was fined and sanctioned for an ethics violation regardless of where he graduated from. My beef with this doctor is that he admitted that he never re-tested for PTSD once he was informed her answers were based on a false story of the two armed intruders killing Travis. Clearly he should not be using her score if it was based on her lies. He admitted this in open court, and to me that invalidates his diagnosis because it wasn't based in fact. Thank you for commenting!
Isn't it convenient that the only things Jodi Arias claims she can't remember are those actions she took that could get her convicted and sentenced to death - the actual murder and her altering/disposal of evidence that shows consciousness of guilt.
ReplyDeleteI hope Martinez continues to rip into Samuels today. It doesn't matter if he has a degree from CCNY or Harvard University or a diploma mill - he came across as a total bumbling, lying fool under cross-examination. You would think the defense team would have checked his story out thoroughly vefore putting him on the stand.
Anonymous (3/19/13 7:22AM),
DeleteSorry, I have to reply to the Anonymous postings by date and time now since so many people are leaving their comments as anonymous! OMG I agree that both Willmott and Nurmi appeared surprised that Samuels admitted that when he tested and scored Arias's PTSD test, she was still sticking with the two armed intruder story! How can he make a diagnosis when her answers were based on a made-up story? And what was more shocking is that he admitted that when she did admit to this, he didn't bother to re-test her. How can his report or diagnosis be valid at all based on what we now know? As you said, regardless of where he went to school or how many years he's practiced, even an intern would know the PTSD test should have been invalidated once they found out she was lying. Makes him look even more unethical, like he was going to cram that round peg in a square hole no matter what, because that's what they are paying him to do. Thanks for writing in!
Sometimes 1 has to leave anonymous comments
ReplyDeletebecause of racism.
If you're not white not taken seriously