Psychologists testify in trial of El Paso man accused of murdering assistant attorney general
UPDATE-- Two doctors were called to the stand Thursday, both are psychologists. The main focus in the courtroom was the defendant's state of mind.
Dr. Timothy Proctor said he medically evaluated the defendant, Joseph Alvarez, for insanity.
Dr. Proctor said Alvarez was always focused when talking about anything other than religious delusions. Proctor said Alvarez wasn't malingering or faking it, but rather the opposite.
The first doctor said he believed Alvarez suffered from a severe mental illness, diagnosing him as schizophrenic. Dr. Proctor diagnosed the defendant with delusional disorder.
Additionally, Proctor said the defendant has depression and anxiety.
During the trial Wednesday, Alvarez was asked what happened the night of Nov. 14, 2020. Alvarez said inside the courtroom he "shot a witch."
Dr. Proctor said Alvarez does not believe what he did was wrong. "He clearly believes what he did was morally right."
The doctor was ordered to conduct the evaluation by the state.
Alvarez's behavior the day of the incident was also discussed. "It's not a behavior he suggests is wrong," said Dr. Proctor.
Both sides rested their case. The trial is expected to continue at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
Proctor: He’s very focused when talking about everything other that the religious delusions. He had problems with bullying growing up, but not remarkable.
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Testimony in the murder trial against Joseph Alvarez continued Thursday with the prosecution team questioning a psychologist serving as an expert witness.
Alvarez is accused of killing Georgette Kaufmann, a Texas assistant attorney general, in her garage when she came home from work, and seriously wounding her husband, Daniel Kaufmann.
The prosecution team has focused a lot on Alvarez's state of mind at the time of the murder. Alvarez also took the stand in his own defense on Wednesday. In court, he spoke on his beliefs about abortions, "satanic rituals," and other subjects that he referred to as religious.
ABC-7 has a crew inside the courtroom and will bring you more details as this story develops.
