Opinion ID: 2720490
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Smith’s Evidence in Mitigation

Text: Smith‘s sister testified she and Smith did not live with their parents until they were six and four years old, having previously lived with their grandparents. Their parents showed the children no affection. The father was in the military and seldom present. When at home, he frequently beat Smith; their mother did not intervene. Smith saw his father molest his sister. The parents eventually separated and the children returned to their grandparents. Smith‘s sister had no positive recollections of life with the parents. Clinical psychologist Donald Hoagland testified about Smith‘s neurocognitive and psychological assessments. Smith scored an 84 on an intelligence test, indicating ―subnormal‖ intelligence. His school records suggested attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Hoagland diagnosed Smith with dyslexia and various cognitive deficits. Smith had a serious and chronic mental disorder with ―the potential to be psychotic under adverse conditions.‖ He was chronically depressed and anxious, had a ―seriously impaired self-image,‖ was socially and emotionally withdrawn, impulsive, and quick to anger. Smith‘s pattern of psychopathology was common in those with particularly adverse family backgrounds.