Opinion ID: 2132850
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Diminished Capacity Claim.

Text: At her trial defendant proffered a defense of diminished capacity intended to show that her mental condition was such that she was unable to recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse occurring in her home. A practicing mental health counselor testified on her behalf and indicated that because defendant had herself been abused as a young child she would be more susceptible to tolerating abuse of Shelby. A witness from a batterers education facility testified that defendant suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and depression. She testified that this mental status rendered defendant unable to separate herself from Wendelsdorf. A psychiatrist who had treated defendant testified that she was suffering from severe depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. He conceded, however, that she was competent to stand trial and capable of forming the intent to hurt someone. The State's expert, Dr. Michael Taylor (a physician different from the Dr. Taylor who treated Shelby on October 21), testified that defendant was capable of understanding and appreciating reality. We conclude that the trial court was correct in failing to uphold the proffered defense of diminished responsibility for two reasons. First, the evidence was insufficient to show a diminished responsibility on defendant's part with respect to any particular volitional act. Second, this defense, as urged, had no theoretical application to this crime because the only mental element involved is that the defendant act knowingly. See State v. McVey, 376 N.W.2d 585, 588 (Iowa 1985) (statutory requirement of acting knowingly does not introduce a mental element subject to defense of diminished responsibility).