A Hawley, Minn., woman on trial today for murder doesn't remember some events from the morning she shot her live-in boyfriend, her attorney said Monday.
Patricia K. Larson, 37, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, which resulted after the Sept. 21 shooting death of Gregory Bates, attorney Steven Light said during a hearing.
But the psychologist who could testify to Larson's post-traumatic stress disorder will not be allowed as an expert witness, a judge ruled Monday.
Jury selection begins today in Clay County District Court for Larson's trial. She is charged with second-degree murder.
Light, from Grand Forks, N.D., told prosecutors last week he planned to put Larson's psychologist and a counselor from the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo-Moorhead on the stand as expert witnesses.
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But Judge John Pearson said neither will be allowed to testify because the defense disclosed those witnesses too late.
Clay County Attorney Lisa Borgen told the court Larson's memory lapse is due to the .21 blood alcohol level she had at the time of the shooting.
The defense will include limited testimony about battered woman's syndrome. Judge Pearson will allow a syndrome expert to testify in generalities about the mental condition, but will not give an analysis of Larson.
Prosecutors filed a motion to exclude any testimony about battered woman's syndrome based on the relationship between Larson and Bates, which Borgen calls mutually abusive.
Larson's trial is expected to last about two weeks.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Amy Dalrymple at (701) 241-5590
