Jodi Arias Psychologist Admits PTSD Diagnosis Could Be Wrong (VIDEO)
Could His Testimony Help the Prosecution?
Jodi Arias' defense team is allegedly struggling to get their case back on track after a slight derailment from their expert witness, Dr. Richard Samuels, who admitted that the diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder could be wrong and attempted to justify his reasoning for the diagnosis.
"The process of forming a diagnosis is not a simple process. The fact is that it's necessary to obtain information from as many different sources as you can," Samuels testified.
Samuels then admitted that Arias had lied to him on multiple occasions, including what happened the day that Travis Alexander was killed. That led him to attempt to defend his diagnosis of PTSD, which he said should have been re-examined before being confirmed.
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"I based [the PTSD diagnosis] primarily on my interviews, the crime scene photographs and descriptions, interviews with family members, police reports, emails, text messages and the psychological tests," Samuels explained.
It was a blunder that could severely hamper the defense's claim that Arias was abused and suffering from PTSD at the time of the murder and afterwards. Throughout the trial, her memory has been called into question by lead prosecutor Juan Martinez.
The psychologist was meant to be one of the defense's biggest stars, confirming their strategy for saving Arias' life. However, he may have just undone their hard work. The case has taken on a life of its own, especially with Arias taking the stand for 18 straight days. Now it is likely that Dr. Samuels will be on the stand longer than expected in order to get his full version of the events and what Arias told him.
Samuels worked with Arias for three years while she was in jail awaiting trial. His testimony is considered crucial to both sides, but especially the defense. If the prosecution can unravel his diagnosis, they may be one step closer to a conviction, and Arias one step closer to the death penalty.
The trial continues today and is expected to wrap up by the end of the month.
Watch Samuels' testimony here:
