The Book of Cold Cases(77)
OLIVER DA SOUSA: I did not.
MANKOWSKI: But you have given advice on other cases similar to this one?
DA SOUSA: Yes, I have worked extensively with the criminally insane, including women who are criminally insane.
MANKOWSKI: What were your conclusions when presented with the facts of this case?
DA SOUSA: In my opinion, these murders were committed by a woman who is mentally ill, possibly delusional, and has a pathological hatred of men.
RANSOM WELLS (defense attorney): Objection.
JUDGE HEIDNIK: Overruled. I’ll allow it for now. Dr. Da Sousa, please continue.
MANKOWSKI: Thank you, Your Honor. Dr. Da Sousa, you were saying that the murderer in this case is mentally ill.
DA SOUSA: Yes. It is my assessment that this person, this woman, has violent tendencies brought on by fantasies in her mind. She is dissociative, sociopathic, and possibly psychotic.
MANKOWSKI: How would such a person appear to the people around her? Would she appear as normal?
WELLS: Objection.
[Disruption in courtroom]
JUDGE HEIDNIK: Order.
WELLS: Objection.
[Disruption ceases]
JUDGE HEIDNIK: I will allow the question since it calls on the doctor’s expertise. Dr. Da Sousa, please continue again.
DA SOUSA: Okay. Thank you. Yes, such a person can appear as normal to the people in their lives. They can even appear to be successful and charming when they choose to. It’s a form of camouflage for them. But underneath the surface, this woman would be very angry, would feel out of control.
MANKOWSKI: Have you studied Miss Greer, and this case, even though you haven’t examined her directly?
DA SOUSA: Yes, I have.
MANKOWSKI: And what is your conclusion?
DA SOUSA: Given that both of her parents died violently, Miss Greer, or such a person like her, could be dissociative. Possibly even sociopathic. It could have started from an early age.
WELLS: Objection.
JUDGE HEIDNIK: Sustained. The jury is asked to disregard that question and answer.
MANKOWSKI: Okay, we’ll return to the woman who committed these murders. Dr. Da Sousa, you have said that it’s your professional opinion that this murderer, whoever she is, could appear normal?
DA SOUSA: Yes. In fact, it’s likely, since both of her victims found her harmless enough to approach her.
MANKOWSKI: Does such a woman feel remorse for what she’s done?
DA SOUSA: No, she does not.
MANKOWSKI: So she may not stop killing, then. She may be dangerous to others.
DA SOUSA: It is very likely that she will continue to kill more people, yes. Such a woman is very dangerous.
Excerpt from cross-examination the following day:
RANSOM WELLS (defense attorney): Dr. Da Sousa, do you have an explanation for the fact that the notes found with the victims have been compared to Beth Greer’s handwriting and have been found not to be a match?
DA SOUSA: I do not.
WELLS: Do you have an explanation for the fact that no physical evidence has been found to connect either of these crimes to Miss Greer?
DA SOUSA: I do not.
WELLS: Do you have an explanation for the fact that you told your colleague Dr. Anderson Jermyn that Beth Greer was, and I quote, “sexy as hell and probably a slut”?
[Disruption in courtroom]
JUDGE HEIDNIK: Order. Order.
MANKOWSKI: Your honor, I object and ask that that last question be struck from the record.
JUDGE HEIDNIK: Overruled. Order.
[Disruption ceases]
WELLS: I apologize for the crude language, Doctor, but it was a direct quote. Do you need me to repeat the question?
DA SOUSA: That was spoken in confidence.
WELLS: Please answer the question. Do you have an explanation?
DA SOUSA: No, I do not.
Prosecution examination of Detective Joshua Black, Claire Lake Police Department
CHARLES MANKOWSKI (prosecuting attorney): Detective Black, what would you say Miss Greer’s demeanor was when you and Detective Washington first interviewed her?
BLACK: I’m not sure what you mean.
MANKOWSKI: For example, would you describe her as hysterical?
BLACK: No, I would not.
MANKOWSKI: Would you describe her as calm?
BLACK: I think that would describe it, yes. She was calm.
MANKOWSKI: When you and Detective Washington came to her door to request an interview, was Miss Greer surprised to see you?
RANSOM WELLS: Objection. The witness cannot judge the defendant’s state of mind.
MANKOWSKI: It’s a valid question, Your Honor. I am asking an experienced detective to give his expert impression of events.
JUDGE HEIDNIK: I’ll allow it this once, but please stick to factual questions going forward, Mr. Mankowski.
MANKOWSKI: Thank you, Your Honor. Detective Black, please answer the question. Was Miss Greer surprised that the police had come to interview her?
BLACK: I don’t know.
MANKOWSKI: You don’t know what surprise looks like?
BLACK: I didn’t ask her if she was surprised, so I can’t answer that question.
MANKOWSKI: I see. I’ll stick to factual observations, then. When you came to her door with Detective Washington and during that first interview, did Miss Greer weep?