""The *88 defense team put together an outline of significant events in petitioner's life but did not complete a full social history until after trial. Based upon the information available before trial, Dr. Stacy diagnosed petitioner with pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified, with a secondary diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder. Dr. Cross alerted the defense team that petitioner had a 25-point difference between his verbal and performance IQ scales that was indicative of a developmental disability."
" Nonetheless, all three experts concluded that petitioner was competent to stand trial and did not have a mental disease or defect that could provide a defense or mitigation evidence."(Source : https://casetext.com/case/edwards-v-roper-4)
Unfortunately, the initial defense team failed to obtain a thorough developmental history which shed more light on the autism diagnosis. Presiding Judge Carol Jackson further commented on this discovery by the post-conviction team, yet prejudiced her analysis when she characterized Dr. Logan's diagnosis and explanation as Dr. Logan -- opined that the evidence of the Asperger's Disorder diagnosis could have been offered during the penalty phase to explain petitioner's abnormal demeanor and his inability to reach an amicable agreement with Ms. Cantrell regarding child support and custody issues."(Source : https://casetext.com/case/edwards-v-roper-4)
To quote Judge Jackson from the court transcript"
""The post-conviction team obtained a complete social history, which was provided to three experts who testified during the post-conviction proceedings: William S. Logan, M.D., Wanda Draper, Ph.D., and Dr. Cross. Dr. Draper, a developmentalist, reviewed the records and interviewed petitioner and members of his family. Dr. Cross reinterviewed Mildred Edwards, learning for the first time about the family violence and petitioner's lack of attachment. Dr. Logan reviewed the records and interviewed petitioner. After a joint meeting with the legal team, the experts concluded that petitioner showed signs consistent with Asperger's Disorder. This is a developmental disorder in the Autism spectrum that is characterized by impaired social interactions, stereotypies, and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests."
" Dr. Logan opined that the evidence of the Asperger's Disorder diagnosis could have been offered during the penalty phase to explain petitioner's abnormal demeanor and his inability to reach an amicable agreement with Ms. Cantrell regarding child support and custody issues."(Source : https://casetext.com/case/edwards-v-roper-4)
Relevance of autism diagnosis and need for a retrial"
Autism expert Julie A. Donnelly PhD explained the relevance of Edwards' autism diagnosis. If Edwards were coerced to make a false confession as has been asserted by his attorneys from the Midwest Innocence Project; his autism would have rendered him unable to resist such coercion. Donnelly explains this succinctly in an op-ed she wrote in The Columbia Tribune 09/27/15. To quote Donnelly:
-- individuals with autism are especially susceptible to being pressured. They often do not understand the consequences when they agree to requests to escape from a difficult situation. They might make statements that are at odds with the truth. Many individuals with such disabilities have learned that, when unsure, it is best to say "yes" to get along."
Autistic persons are frequently unable to read the body language, facial expression or vocal tone of others. Though they feel emotions; autistic people often display a 'flat affect' or deadpan expression which looks like there is a lack of emotion or empathy. Socially appropriate facial expressions are alien to those diagnosed with Autism, especially Aspergers. To quote Dr. Donnelly once again"
"." Kimber Edwards' expression or lack of expression at his ex-wife's death, as Logan reported, was introduced at the trial and used as damaging characterization to the jury, when it is common in autism to feel emotion but not show it in the typical manner."
According to Dr. Logan's report; Edwards continued to display autistic characteristics such as narrowly focused interests on various objects and a slavish need to follow inflexible routines. Subsequently, Edwards was unable to comprehend the 'big picture' of his conviction and could not assist attorneys in his own defense.
Autism diagnosis should have triggered a retrial"
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