Final, Forensic Psychology Paper
Final Project
Assessing Competency
The Edward Wilson Case
Kristen Fortin
Kaplan University
CJ233: Intro to Forensic Psychology
Professor Katia Araujo
Feb 4, 2013
Abstract Currently working in an Arizona State Mental Health Facility as a Forensic Psychologist, I have been recently given the task, court ordered by the judge to evaluate a patient’s competency to stand trial. His name is Edward Wilson. He is a 25 year old male with a history of mental illness, stemming from the age of seventeen. According to the police report found in Edwards file, on Feb 4, 2012 Edward was arrested and charged with killing both his parents. Edward has been at the facility for three months now and his previous records indicate that he possesses a low IQ as well as being mildly mentally challenged. Records state Edward has been hospitalized before due to a self inflicted gunshot to his mouth. He was diagnosed at the age of 19 with paranoid schizophrenia and placed on psychotropic medications after he had an unexpected outburst and physically as well as verbally attacked his younger sister without provocation. The medication seemed to stabilize his condition and mental status at the time. Since Edward has been at the facility he has stated that he believed several conspiracy theories in reference to his parents as well as the Mayor. He also states that as a teen he came across “the rock of creation” as he referred it, which possessed five different animal faces upon it, and thusly sent it to the Mayor. He also stated that he was not taking any of his psychotropic medications at the time of his parents’ murder. Edward does have a public defender who counseled with his for ten minutes at which time the public defender asked the judge to request a competency evaluation. Thusly, bringing Edward to this facility for competency restoration, evaluation, and into my care. I will evaluate this individual, assess his mental stability and inform the judge
Assessing Competency
The Edward Wilson Case
Kristen Fortin
Kaplan University
CJ233: Intro to Forensic Psychology
Professor Katia Araujo
Feb 4, 2013
Abstract Currently working in an Arizona State Mental Health Facility as a Forensic Psychologist, I have been recently given the task, court ordered by the judge to evaluate a patient’s competency to stand trial. His name is Edward Wilson. He is a 25 year old male with a history of mental illness, stemming from the age of seventeen. According to the police report found in Edwards file, on Feb 4, 2012 Edward was arrested and charged with killing both his parents. Edward has been at the facility for three months now and his previous records indicate that he possesses a low IQ as well as being mildly mentally challenged. Records state Edward has been hospitalized before due to a self inflicted gunshot to his mouth. He was diagnosed at the age of 19 with paranoid schizophrenia and placed on psychotropic medications after he had an unexpected outburst and physically as well as verbally attacked his younger sister without provocation. The medication seemed to stabilize his condition and mental status at the time. Since Edward has been at the facility he has stated that he believed several conspiracy theories in reference to his parents as well as the Mayor. He also states that as a teen he came across “the rock of creation” as he referred it, which possessed five different animal faces upon it, and thusly sent it to the Mayor. He also stated that he was not taking any of his psychotropic medications at the time of his parents’ murder. Edward does have a public defender who counseled with his for ten minutes at which time the public defender asked the judge to request a competency evaluation. Thusly, bringing Edward to this facility for competency restoration, evaluation, and into my care. I will evaluate this individual, assess his mental stability and inform the judge