Cross Examination of The Psychiatrist by The Prosecution
Cross Examination of The Psychiatrist by The Prosecution
BY THE PROSECUTION
COUNSEL Mr. Witness, you said that you were employed in Philippine General
Hospital during the year 1987. How long have you been practicing your
profession?
COUNSEL At the time of your examination with the accused, how long have you
been practicing your profession?
WITNESS Psychiatry.
COUNSEL After earning a medical degree in 1984, what is the next step?
COUNSEL After a one year Post Graduate Internship, what comes next?
COUNSEL Okay, Mr. Witness. So if you earned your medical degree on 1984, plus
1 year Post Graduate Internship, 4 years of Residency and 2 years of
Fellowship, it means that is an additional 7 years to be a Psychiatrist?
COUNSEL Can we just recall, when did you diagnose the accused as
schizophrenic?
COUNSEL In other words, you were only a general practitioner at that time?
WITNESS A general physician is a doctor who has passed the Physician Licensure
Examination; A Psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment
of mental disorders.
COUNSEL At the time when you made your diagnosis of the accused, you were a
general physician, correct?
COUNSEL So, at the time when you made your diagnosis, you were not qualified,
correct?
COUNSEL Mr. Witness, you said earlier that the accused was diagnosed with
schizophrenia, am I right?
COUNSEL At arriving with this diagnosis, were you able to interview family members
of the accused?
WITNESS 2, sir.
COUNSEL How are they related to the accused?
WITNESS Yes, sir, if those relatives are also living with the patient or having
frequent interaction with the patient.
COUNSEL Aside from the accused’s parents, you did not interview other family
members or relatives?
COUNSEL Would your diagnosis have been different if you interviewed other family
members?
COUNSEL Mr. witness, the question is answerable by a yes or no. Please answer
accordingly. Is there a possibility that it might affect your diagnosis or
would even change your diagnosis?
COUNSEL At the time of the diagnosis of the accused, that was 1987, am I right?
COUNSEL How many patients have you handled having the similar disorder?
WITNESS 3.
WITNESS No Sir.
WITNESS No Sir.
WITNESS No Sir.
WITNESS No Sir.
COUNSEL So Mr. Witness, only a person with a normal mental condition would be
able to do those acts?
COUNSEL Would a person in his right mind follow instructions from a person
suffering from schizophrenia?
WITNESS No Sir.
COUNSEL Because a person will only follow the instructions of a person with a
rational mind, right?
COUNSEL Is it possible to have a lucid interval when suffering from such kind of
disorder in such a way that the patient will be able to distinguish right
from wrong?
COUNSEL If it is possible to have a lucid interval, is it also possible that at the time
of the incident, the accused is at a lucid interval?
COUNSEL Is it possible that the accused’s mental condition, from the time of your
diagnosis, is different from his mental condition at the time of the incident
or at least his current mental state?
WITNESS I cannot say for sure, sir. Like what I said, schizophrenia is incu...
COUNSEL Mr. witness, the question is answerable by a yes or no. We are merely
asking the possibility of having a change in the mental condition of the
accused. Is there a possibility?
COUNSEL But it may also mean that his mental condition have improved, right, Mr.
witness?
COUNSEL Were you able to examine further the accused before the incident?
COUNSEL If you haven’t examined the accused for more than 20 years already, can
you now say that you are no longer knowledgeable or at least familiar
with the mental condition of the accused?
Defense Counsel We are not presenting any witnesses, Your Honor; we will submit the
same for judgment of this honorable court.
We, therefore, respectfully rest our case.
Judge Granted.