Bhushan Agharkar testified for the defense on Day 18 as an Adult and Forensic Psychiatry expert, diagnosing Timothy Jones with schizophrenia and a minor neurocognitive disorder. The State challenged the basis and limits of that assessment on cross-examination.
Expert witness
Bhushan Agharkar
Psychiatrist board-certified in adult and forensic psychiatry.
Appeared2019 Murder Trial
240 lines·9 proceedings·5 mentions
About
Bhushan Agharkar testified for the defense on Day 18 as an expert in Adult and Forensic Psychiatry. He said his assessment of Timothy Jones found schizophrenia and a minor neurocognitive disorder, after considering records, interviews, family history, symptoms, traumatic brain injury, and testing.
Agharkar testified that the condition was not substance-induced and was not being faked. The court redesignated his materials list and report as Court's Exhibits 88 and 89 for identification rather than admitting them as defense exhibits.
The State cross-examined Agharkar about the limits of his diagnosis, his defense retention, the length of his interviews, and his reliance on Jones's self-reported history and other records. He said he was not offering a criminal-responsibility opinion and addressed questions concerning spice use, Geodon, cognitive testing, a prior brain injury, and Chantix. The court sustained a defense objection to the word "murder" and limited further Chantix questioning to whether Agharkar had information connecting it to this case.
Key Points
Agharkar diagnosed Jones with schizophrenia and a minor neurocognitive disorder. [1]
His assessment considered records, interviews, family history, symptoms, traumatic brain injury, and testing. [1]
On cross-examination, Agharkar said his testimony did not offer an opinion on criminal responsibility. [1]
The court limited further Chantix questioning to whether Agharkar had information linking it to this case. [1]
Trial Record (9)
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