Courts / Ireland / Report

Psychologist's evidence did not go before Kriegel jury

Summary

During a trial for the murder of Ana, the judge refused to allow a clinical psychologist, Dr Colm Humphries, to give evidence before the jury. Dr Humphries had been called by Boy B's defence to explain that Boy B, who was 13, was suffering from post‑traumatic stress disorder after witnessing Ana's assault. He had told the psychologist that Ana's clothing was ripped off, that she was gasping and struggling, and that she said nothing. Dr Humphries described Boy B as overly friendly, polite, but with language difficulties and signs of disfluency and avoidance when recounting the events. He argued that Boy B's lies in Garda interviews were not evidence of guilt but a result of trauma and a lack of understanding of the consequences.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Psychologist's evidence did not go before Kriegel jury. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 2019-06-18 Publication

Why: The prosecution alleged that Boy B lied in his garda interviews because he wanted to cover his guilt but Dr Humphries said his lies were not evidence of guilt. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report