Case Study Facts: Week 4

Referral Question

What are the present intellectual abilities and psychological maturity of the defendant as per the provisions of Title 18, U.S.C., Section 5032 and 5037(d)?

Factual information to be used in write-up of report:

Tests given

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—III

Rorschach Inkblot Test

Bender Motor Gestalt Test with immediate and delayed recall

House-Tree-Person drawing test

Kinetic Family drawing test

Reitan-Indiana Aphasia Screening Test

Wide Range Achievement Test—III

11 years old

Robbed a bank in his hometown. Rode bicycle to and from bank. Was picked up by local police shortly after the robbery while on his bicycle.

Currently being held in a youth detention center.

Awaiting trial before a federal judge on 1 count of armed bank robbery (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2113(A), 2113(d) and 1 count of receiving and possessing a firearm (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(x)(2).

Robbed bank with a handgun

Prior to robbery he lived with his mother and was in the 6th grade. He has two siblings. He is the middle child. Natural father lives close but has very little contact. Close to stepfather who was killed a few years earlier via homicide. Significant behavior preceding death of stepfather. No difficulty with pregnancy or delivery. Developmental milestones reached within appropriate time limits. Has been described by classmates and teachers as a “bully.” Does good schoolwork when he is willing to do it but often refuses to do schoolwork. Grades suffer as a result. Causes distractions in class and responds better to structured classrooms. Picks at skin until it bleeds. He has no friends. Receives low but passing grades. Natural parents never married to each other. Natural mother receives welfare. Older sister was reported to be an “honor student.” At the time his stepfather was killed, his great-grandmother died. Mother describes him as irritable and sulky. He was sent to a psychiatric hospital last year due to behavior problems. He stayed at the facility for 30 days, but his mother did not follow up with local outpatient counseling. His diagnosis at discharge from hospital was Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Current presentation

Average height and heavy build. No glasses. Periodically sucked his thumb. Grooming appropriate. No signs of depression or oppositional behavior. Cooperative. No signs of hallucinations/delusions. Teachers at detention center say he likes to draw attention to himself. Is described as liking to engage in fantasy. Stated he was there for “armed robbery.” Says he robbed bank with a gun given to him by another juvenile. States it was “wrong and illegal.” He knew the name of his attorney and what his job was. Knew what the prosecuting attorney’s job was. Knew what the judge was supposed to do. Stated, “I wish I wouldn’t have done it [armed robbery].” He was unsure what would happen if he were to be found guilty. He described difficulties with sleeping, eating, and concentrating. He stated he “sometimes” feels suicidal. He stated he has no plans of hurting himself. Denied any history of being physically or sexually abused. He stated he missed his family. He did not seem to have an appreciation of the seriousness of his actions of armed robbery.

Intellect

Average Full Scale IQ. Average Verbal IQ. Average Performance IQ. Above average perceptual reasoning.

Emotional functioning

Results indicate he has good psychological resources but is emotionally immature. He avoids emotional situations. Self-image based on imaginary rather than real experiences. His interpersonal skills are superficial. He is at risk for acting out. He engages in a lot of fantasy.