Psychologist Says Malvo Produced 'Abnormal' Psych Test

KPRC ^ | December 4, 2003 | Associated Press

[yonif]

CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- A clinical psychologist who examined sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo this summer said Thursday that the teenager was unusually cheerful during the exam, which he classified as odd behavior.

Malvo is accused of being the triggerman in the series of sniper shootings that left 10 people dead and terrorized the Washington area last fall.

David Schretlen said he was immediately struck by Malvo's cheerfulness. He called it "out of step with the seriousness of the situation."

Schretlin said Malvo also was eager to show how smart he is. Tests show the 18-year-old has an IQ of 98, which falls in the middle of the average range.

Schretlin concluded that Malvo produced an "abnormal neuropsychological exam," which he said could be the result of depression or anxiety.

Prosecutors objected to Schretlen's testimony about his conclusion, saying the defense had not provided that in a report.

Prosecutors said the defense's medical reports do not indicate that Malvo met the legal definition of insanity.

Malvo's defense team is arguing he was temporarily insane at the time of the shootings due to the indoctrination of John Muhammad, the man arrested with Malvo.

Last month, a jury convicted Muhammad in the death of one of the 10 people killed in the attacks. Prosecutors in that case argued Muhammad masterminded the attacks, even if he didn't fire the fatal shot himself. The jury also recommended a death sentence for Muhammad.

Judge Gags Lawyers For Letter Leak

Judge Jane Marum Roush slapped a gag order on the attorneys in the Malvo case, stopping them from talking with the media. She's upset that a letter from Malvo that she had decided the jury would not see ended up being printed in The Washington Post. Each side is denying leaking the letter.

Handwriting Expert Says Malvo Wrote Notes Found At Shootings

A handwriting expert said Thursday that Malvo wrote the notes left for police at some shooting scenes.

Larry Ziegler told jurors that Malvo wrote the words "Call me God" on a Tarot card left at one shooting. Ziegler said he reached his conclusions after comparing samples of Malvo's handwriting to copies of the Tarot card found at the shooting of a 13-year-old boy, and notes left at two other shootings

[Kenton]

Schretlin concluded that Malvo produced an "abnormal neuropsychological exam," which he said could be the result of depression or anxiety.

Yeah, well we knew the homicidal little punk wasn't normal, but so what? Fry him in pig fat.

[Sloth]

He probably got that question right about killing his sister so he could meet that cutie he saw at his mom's funeral.

[Pukin Dog]

98 is average IQ? Whoa. Did they lower the range or something, or is that only the average range for crazy young blacks who murder people from the truck of a car?

[bmwcyle]

He a an abby ... abby normal brain.

[CJ Wolf]

"Malvo's defense team is arguing he was temporarily insane at the time of the shootings due to the indoctrination of John Muhammad, the man arrested with Malvo. " So he is ok now?

[workerbee]

Hmmm, let's see.... he shoots people at random for fun from the trunk of a car. He tests "abnormal" on a pysch test.

Ya think?

[Tired_of_the_Lies]

What a surprise. It doesn't mean he was insane, temporarily or otherwise.

[Montfort]

So I guess he can spend a few years in a restful mental hospital until he is finally declared to be no threat to anyone and can go out and live out his life in peace and support himself on speaker's fees from colleges.

[brianl703]

80-110 IQ is normal.

[tracer]

Naw!! Ya think??

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

A clinical psychologist who examined sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo this summer said Thursday that the teenager was unusually cheerful during the exam, which he classified as odd behavior.

It isn't odd, just evil. Congratulations doctor! Now you know what evil looks like. Psychologists have a tendency to label people as "sick" when they have chosen to become monsters in human form. Usually the evil person knows that and uses it. Looks like Malvo is too young to know how to play the game. For that we can all be thankful.

[k2blader]

Of course he's abnormal--he murdered people!

[paul51]

Malvo Produced 'Abnormal' Psych Test

No sh*t, Shamus. I could have phoned in that diagnosis for half the price.

[sweetliberty]

Well DUH!!! Ya think? I thought only "normal" people went around popping total strangers.

[sweetliberty]

"98 is average IQ? Whoa. Did they lower the range or something"

No, actually, anything from 90-110 is considered to be in the average range. It's just that we FReepers are so accustommed to dealing with those well above average that it seems very low.

[sweetliberty]

90-110 is normal.

[VOA]

Psychologist Says Malvo Produced 'Abnormal' Psych Test

Probably true of a lot of guys who go on a murdering spree when inspired
by someone named Muhammad (or Mohammed, take your pick).

[brianl703]

According to http://members.shaw.ca/delajara/IQBasics.html

Wechsler used the following:
80-90: Dull normal
91-110: Average
111-119: Bright normal

Mental retardation is at 69 or below.

[Travis McGee]

He's a happy little jihadist. Kill infidels for allah today, laugh about it tomorrow. Nothing "abnormal" about it, there are a hundred million more like him in line.