In a recent court proceeding, forensic psychologist B. Thomas Gray provided testimony regarding Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, the individual responsible for the tragic incident at a Colorado supermarket over three years ago. Alissa, who has been diagnosed with a severe case of schizophrenia, claimed to have heard "killing voices" immediately prior to the attack.
During approximately six hours of interviews, Alissa struggled to provide detailed information about these auditory hallucinations, only stating that they were yelling. This lack of specificity has raised questions about the reliability of the assessment, given that auditory hallucinations are experienced by about 70% of people with schizophrenia.
Despite Alissa's mental health condition, psychologists B. Thomas Gray and Loandra Torres concluded that he was legally sane at the time of the incident. This determination means that Alissa was capable of distinguishing between right and wrong when he committed the act. It's important to note that the legal concept of insanity varies by jurisdiction and is not a medical diagnosis.
The defense team, led by attorney Kathryn Herold, has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. They argue that Alissa's severe schizophrenia, which is treatment-resistant, rendered him incapable of discerning right from wrong during the attack. Treatment-resistant schizophrenia affects approximately 30% of individuals with this mental illness, making it particularly challenging to manage.
Interestingly, while Alissa had reportedly planned to die during the attack to avoid imprisonment, he ultimately surrendered to law enforcement. This discrepancy between his stated intentions and actions has been highlighted by the defense as potentially significant.
The trial is taking place in Boulder, Colorado, home to the University of Colorado Boulder, which was founded in 1876. The city has unfortunately been affected by this tragedy, adding to the state's history of high-profile mass shootings, including the 1999 Columbine High School massacre.
As part of the charges, Alissa faces accusations related to possessing high-capacity ammunition magazines, which were banned in Colorado following previous mass shootings. Such bans have been implemented in several states as a gun control measure.
The court proceedings have utilized video recordings of the interviews with Alissa, a practice that has become increasingly common in legal settings since the 1980s. These recordings showed Alissa fidgeting and speaking softly, often difficult to hear over background noise.
The trial is expected to continue with the conclusion of testimony regarding Alissa's sanity, followed by the defense presenting their case. This will include calling Alissa's relatives as witnesses, potentially providing additional context to his mental state and personal history.
As the trial progresses, it's worth noting that the insanity defense is used in less than 1% of all criminal cases in the United States. The burden of proof in such cases varies by state, adding another layer of complexity to this already challenging legal and ethical situation.