Opinion ID: 2639482
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Defense Evidence at the Penalty Phase

Text: Cyndy Pitts, defendant's mother, testified that his father, Willie Jones, often abused her physically, and once tried to push defendant out of a second story window. Willie Jones admitted abusing his wife and son, and said he had a problem with drugs and alcohol. He was imprisoned for armed robbery in 1982 or 1983. When he got out of prison he moved to New York and severed all ties with his family. Nathan Jones, defendant's brother, said defendant took care of him when his father was absent and his mother was working. Beatrice Acosta, defendant's girlfriend, testified that after their baby was born she lived with defendant and his mother in Moreno Valley for three months. She said defendant was a helpful father but got drunk every day. Sheila Barcus, defendant's aunt, and Minnie Nixon, defendant's grandmother, both testified that the person who committed the charged crimes was completely different from the Michael Jones they knew as a child. Glenn Garbot, defendant's uncle, said he could not believe defendant could be involved in the crimes. Joseph Gueste, defendant's pastor, also said that the person who committed the crimes seemed like a different person. Dr. Steven Buckey, a clinical psychologist, specializes in problems of the alcoholic family. He testified that children who are raised in an alcoholic family have difficulty identifying and expressing feelings, and do not think clearly about the consequences of their behavior. In Dr. Buckey's opinion, defendant was an alcoholic by the age of 13. On cross-examination by the prosecution, Dr. Buckey acknowledged that defendant showed symptoms of antisocial personality disorder.