Abstract
Bernard Diamond would testify only for the defense in criminal cases, but only if the whole psychiatric truth would be introduced during a trial and the facts of the case supported the defense position. Otherwise, he would refuse to participate. Although few other forensic psychiatrists have personal or professional ethical concerns regarding ever participating for the prosecution, many more have such problems in capital cases. Bernard Diamond’s approach to forensic psychiatry should be considered at least as an option by those opposed to the death penalty. Bias in capital cases is not a persuasive reason to withdraw from involvement if the forensic psychiatrist remains honest.
Footnotes
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This paper is a revised version of a presentation given at the 22nd Annual Meeting, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Orlando, FL, October 17-20, 1991. Drs. Weinstock, Leong, and Silva are staff psychiatrists, West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center and associate clinical professor of psychiatry, assistant professor of psychiatry, and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry, respectively, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles.
- Copyright © 1992, The American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
