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Carly Gregg mental health questioned, conflicting testimonies in trial
Rebuttal witnesses for the state testified Thursday {that a} Rankin County teenage lady accused of capturing and killing her mom denied listening to voices, conflicting with earlier testimony given by the protection’s knowledgeable witness.
Carly Madison Gregg, 15, is accused of murdering her 40-year-old mom, Ashley Smylie, and making an attempt to homicide her 39-year-old stepfather, Heath Smylie, on March 19 on the household’s Brandon dwelling within the 200 block of Ashton Method. Gregg was 14 on the time of the offenses.
On Tuesday, the state rested its case. On Wednesday, the protection rested its case.
On Thursday, the state referred to as Olivia Leber, a psychiatric psychological well being nurse practitioner, as a rebuttal witness. Leber stated she first met with Gregg in January 2024, at which era, Gregg accomplished a type and checked “No,” on the shape when requested if she was listening to voices.
Leber stated Gregg was recognized with main depressive dysfunction and adjustment dysfunction. Leber famous Gregg had talked about being depressed however it was not continual. Leber stated Gregg appeared to have regular responses throughout their first appointment.
“She denied hallucinations or delusions,” Leber stated.
Throughout a follow-up appointment in February, Leber stated Gregg reported having no hassle with distant reminiscence and had “no irregular or psychotic ideas.”
‘Please assist me’:Journal, sketchbook, medical data exhibits Carly Gregg battled with psychological well being
Leber stated she met with Gregg for the final time on March 12, per week earlier than the shootings. At this appointment, a medicine change occurred after Gregg complained of feeling “like a zombie.” Leber stated she instructed Gregg to taper off the Zoloft she was taking, whereas beginning on a brand new remedy, Lexapro. In keeping with Leber, Gregg by no means reported listening to voices or having lapses in her reminiscence.
“When you cease your remedy abruptly, there’s all the time a threat for signs to return again, possibly worse…” Leber stated.
The state additionally referred to as rebuttal witness Rebecca Kirk, a licensed skilled counselor, who met with Gregg 9 occasions earlier than the shootings. In January, Gregg and Ashley reported that Gregg was having intrusive and disruptive ideas, was simply angered, and was having hassle sleeping, in response to Kirk’s testimony. Gregg denied listening to voices.
Kirk stated within the ultimate session, Gregg was not experiencing any suicidal or homicidal tendencies, nor did she report experiencing any uncomfortable side effects from her remedy.
“Rebecca as a therapist, how many individuals do you see which have complaints about melancholy or nervousness?” requested prosecutor Kathryn Newman.
“Nearly each single one in all them,” Kirk stated.
“And what number of of them have gone on to kill their mother,” Newman requested.
“Earlier than that, none,” Kirk stated.
Dr. Jason Pickett, a forensic psychiatrist, additionally testified in courtroom relating to his job to carry out a psychological analysis of Gregg by utilizing a take a look at. Pickett’s testimony occurred shortly after Dr. Amanda Gugliano testified in courtroom that she carried out a competency analysis during which the Courtroom later decided Gregg was competent to face trial.
Pickett stated there are two prongs to The M’Naghten Rule, a authorized customary take a look at of madness, to ensure that an individual to be discovered insane in Mississippi. First, the person will need to have a recognized psychological sickness. Second, the query of ‘did the person perceive the character and the standard of what they have been doing on the time of the offense?’ have to be answered.
Pickett stated that to him, a few of Gregg’s writings and statements appeared “theatrical” and others “regarding.”
Pickett stated he reviewed a number of items of proof comparable to Gregg’s journal entries, conversations together with her household, her drug use, textual content messages together with one textual content dated Feb. 7 when Gregg instructed a pal, “You don’t perceive how (expletive) psycho I used to be that day, I virtually murdered my dad and mom.”
‘A candy little lady’:Stepfather testifies in trial of Carly Gregg accused of killing mother
In keeping with Pickett, he believes the “low dosage” of Lexapro prescribed to Gregg didn’t trigger Gregg to commit the alleged crimes.
“My opinion is that Carly doesn’t meet Mississippi’s customary for madness on the time of the offense, and that she knew the character, high quality and wrongfulness of her actions throughout that day,” Pickett stated.
Testimony from all the state’s knowledgeable witnesses at many occasions in the course of the Thursday courtroom look conflicted with the testimony of the protection’s knowledgeable witness, Dr. Andrew Clark.
Clark, a psychiatrist, testified Wednesday that Gregg was experiencing a psychological well being disaster on the time of the capturing.
“She was having temper points, consuming dysfunction points, slicing herself, listening to voices and sleeping problem all main as much as January 2024,” Clark stated.
Clark additionally gave a special accounting of what Gregg stated she was feeling on March 12. Clark learn aloud within the courtroom a journal entry stated to be dated March 12:
“I feel I had a psychotic break earlier. The entire ordeal is sort of foolish. I truly spoke with one of many voices in my head. Properly, I did not hear them till earlier as we speak, however I solely do then. My specific pal and I have been virtually screaming bloodthirstily and ravenously. Thank God — bodily confrontation was not doable. I sound loopy,” Clark learn.
Clark stated he believes the Lexapro complied with Gregg’s historical past of psychological well being points and upbringing led to the violent outburst, which he stated Gregg doesn’t bear in mind as a result of her reminiscence going “clean.”
“Her reminiscence got here again as she was standing by the aspect of the highway, having crawled out of a drainage pipe moist, and the police officer got here by and picked her up,” Clark stated.
On cross Wednesday, prosecutor Michael Smith famous how “handy” it was that Gregg might recall what occurred earlier than faculty, throughout faculty and when she was arrested, however couldn’t recall the hour timespan of when Gregg allegedly murdered her mom.
Gregg faces prices for homicide, tried homicide and tampering with proof. If convicted, Gregg faces 20 years to a possible life sentence in jail.
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