During more than thirty years as a forensic psychologist, Dr. W. Joseph Wyatt has served as expert witness and consultant to attorneys on hundreds of cases. The Breaking Point Killing takes the reader on an in-depth excursion through eleven of the most compelling among Wyatt’s cases. Also included are additional chapters on research leading to best practice methods for assessment of child sexual abuse and a general chapter on issues relevant to forensic work such as competence, responsibility and much more.
This is a fully indexed book for students of criminal justice, psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, and law. Joseph Wyatt has been an expert in hundreds of cases.
–Betty Riley was a victim of vicious abuse. Her case opened the doopr to the battered woman defense in WV.
–Earl McC oy had been bullied for years until, suffering from PTSD, he reached his breaking point and killed his bully.
Quadruple murderer Nicholas Mauro of Fairmont was caught faking dissociative indentity disorder.
–False testimony by the infamous serologist Fred Zain sent James Richardson to prison for rape and murder.
–In a schizophrenic deterioration triggered by an inheritance scam, a Princeton man murdered his partner.
The Breaking Point Killing describes the application of dozens of legal/mental health issues in these and six additional cases among the hundreds in which Dr. Wyatt served as expert. Topics include the forensic examination process, competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility, direct and cross-examination, courtroom rules, tactics for successful navigaton in the courtroom, pros and cons of the mental illness defense, the interplay of rural families and communities with the legal system and more. The book is fully indexed.
“This book offers an authentic, close-up view of intriguing cases wherein the art and science of forensic psychology was brought to bear. I hope you wil find, as I did, that the trext is evocative, educational, and even inspiring.” Robert Wilkinson, Chief Public Defender, Cabell County, WV
“A talented writer, Wyatt’s perspective gives us a dramtic and firsthand view of the underside of lives gone awry. Through courtroom testimony and forensic clinical opinions, Wyatt helps us understand why they happened.” Dwight harshbarger, Ph.D, Author of Witness At Hawks Nest and Valley At Risk.
