Opinion ID: 1358977
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: capacity to form intent

Text: The State presented evidence on the issue of capacity to form intent in the form of the testimony of Johnson and two experts in psychology and psychiatry. Altogether, six psychologists were produced by the defendant and the State to testify as to the defendant's capacity to form the intent to kill and capacity to deliberate. The experts had differing opinions as to whether defendant could deliberate and form an intent to kill. Dr. Welch, a psychiatrist, described numerous examples of behavior several hours before and after the time of the killing that indicated the defendant's ability to deliberate, form intent and make decisions. Additionally, he explained that certain acts which occurred close to the time of the killing demonstrated that defendant knew the consequences of his acts. A second expert agreed with Dr. Welch's conclusions. Certain other psychological experts were of the opinion that defendant suffered from a lack of self-control and had impulsive behavioral patterns. They indicated defendant was angry because he thought Lynch had tried to notify the police by pushing a button while still at the second store. Moreover, Lynch had made him mad when he commented in the car that defendant would not get away with this. Some of the psychologists thought Lynch's comments caused the defendant to shoot Lynch impulsively. Other factors contributing to their conclusion that defendant did not deliberate were (1) the ingestion of drugs and alcohol and (2) the stress at the time of the killing. One of the psychologists who thought defendant acted impulsively indicated, however, that defendant might have known he was going to kill Lynch up to sixty seconds before the shooting. Properly qualified experts may testify as to a defendant's intent. State v. Ellis, 89 N.M. 194, 548 P.2d 1212 (Ct.App.), cert. denied, 89 N.M. 206, 549 P.2d 284 (1976). The jury may reject an expert's opinion in whole or in part. Van Orman v. Nelson, 78 N.M. 11, 427 P.2d 896 (1967). Conflicts in the testimony of expert witnesses are to be resolved by the finder of fact. State v. Ellis .