Mendiola Trial: State psychologist says Mendiola exaggerated PTSD affliction

The defense rested its case Thursday in the murder trial of a former soldier accused of killing an army veteran in 2014.

Alberto Mendiola, 28, has admitted to shooting and killing 30-year-old Anthony Bowler. Prosecutors say Mediola was trying to break into the East El Paso home of his estranged wife when he encountered Bowler, a guest at a barbecue.

The defense used a local psychologist to give credibility to its case that Mendiola, who has been diagnosed by the VA with PTSD, had a flashback to combat in Afghanistan when he confronted Bowler, resulting in the shooting.

Dr. James Schutte testified for the defense that he conducted 21 tests during eight different visits over a year long period and came to the conclusion Mendiola has PTSD and was insane at the time of the shooting.

Thursday afternoon, the jury heard from the state’s psychologist, Dr. Timothy Proctor, who diagnosed Mendiola differently. Dr. Proctor said he spent three and a half hours evaluating Mendiola on just one occasion, administering just two tests, but came to the conclusion that he suffered from “provisional” PTSD.

Proctor said he used the word provisional because some test results showed Mendiola may have been exaggerating.

“No doubt he certainly met the criteria for PTSD in terms of being exposed to trauma (during combat),” Dr. Proctor told the jury. “However, I had some concerns due to the results of the tests that there may be some exaggeration.”

Proctor told the jury, more importantly, he diagnosed Mendiola with anti-social disorder in addition to other issues, like alcohol and cannibus use disorder. He then told the jury Mendiola indicated to him he had six beers and several shots between 8 pm and midnight on the night of the murder.

“He didn’t remember how many shots,” Dr. Proctor said, “Either whisky or tequila.”