Arias Psychologist Says PTSD Diagnosis Is Accurate
(Phoenix, AZ) -- A clinical psychologist called as a defense expert in Jodi Arias' murder trial says his diagnosis of Arias is accurate. During testimony in an Arizona courtroom Wednesday, Dr. Richard Samuels continued to tell the jury that despite Arias lying to him during his tests, he believes Arias has post-traumatic stress disorder and amnesia. Samuels spent much of Wednesday on the witness stand discussing his testing techniques, saying he had loads of evidence to come to the determination for his diagnosis of Arias. Prosecutors had previously questioned Samuels' credibility and whether his testing methods were worthwhile.
Samuels testified earlier this week that Arias may suffer from disassociative amnesia which could be triggered by a traumatic event. Arias faces the death penalty for killing former boyfriend Travis Alexander in 2008 by shooting him, stabbing him multiple times and slashing his throat. She has claimed it was in self-defense, though prosecutors say she killed Alexander in a jealous rage.
