Opinion ID: 2686798
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dr. Anastasio Castiello

Text: Dr. Anastasio Castiello, a psychiatrist, also testified. Prior to trial, Dr. Castiello interviewed Mendoza in Spanish to complete a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation only for competency to stand trial. During the interview, Mendoza responded to questions “rather vaguely” and Dr. Castiello “had to pinpoint him as to details.” Dr. Castiello considered Mendoza “to be a totally unreliable informant.” 10 Case: 13-14968 Date Filed: 07/31/2014 Page: 11 of 58 For example, Dr. Castiello discounted Mendoza’s drug abuse claims. Dr. Castiello testified that “when any kind of situation is unpleasant, there is a tendency to overemphasize the [drug] usage or misusage.” Mendoza talked to her about his drug use. Mendoza told Dr. Castiello about “dreams or fantasies” he experienced while sleeping. Dr. Castiello testified that Mendoza “appeared to be making sort of an effort to appear that he was having all those things that nobody else has.”