Mickey Brennan rose and addressed the court. “I would like to call Dr. Lawrence Larkin as my next witness.”
A distinguished gray-haired man was sworn in and took the stand.
“I want to thank you for being here, Dr. Larkin. I know your time is very valuable. Would you tell us a little about your background?”
“I have a successful practice in Chicago. I’m a past president of the Chicago Psychiatric Association.”
“How many years have you been in practice, Doctor?”
“Approximately thirty years.”
“And as a psychiatrist, I imagine you’ve seen many cases of multiple personality disorder?”
“No.”
Brennan frowned. “When you say no, you mean you haven’t seen a lot of them? Maybe a dozen?”
“I’ve never seen one case of multiple personality disorder.”
Brennan looked at the jury in mock dismay, then back at the doctor. “In thirty years of working with mentally disturbed patients, you have never seen a single case of multiple personality disorder?”
“That’s correct.”
“I’m amazed. How do you explain that?”
“It’s very simple. I don’t think that multiple personality disorder exists.”
“Well, I’m puzzled, Doctor. Haven’t cases of multiple personality disorder been reported?”
Dr. Larkin snorted. “Being reported doesn’t mean they’re real. You see, what some doctors believe is MPD, they’re confusing with schizophrenia, depressions and various other anxiety disorders.”
“That’s very interesting. So in your opinion, as an expert psychiatrist, you don’t believe that multiple personality disorder even exists?”
“That is correct.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Mickey Brennan turned to David. “Your witness.”
David rose and walked over to the witness box. “You are a past president of the Chicago Psychiatric Association, Dr. Larkin?”
“Yes.”
“You must have met a great many of your peers.”
“Yes. I’m proud to say that I have.”
“Do you know Dr. Royce Salem?”
“Yes. I know him very well.”
“Is he a good psychiatrist?”
“Excellent. One of the best.”
“Did you ever meet Dr. Clyde Donovan?”
“Yes. Many times.”
“Would you say that he’s a good psychiatrist?”
“I would use him”—a small chuckle—”if I needed one.”
“And what about Dr. Ingram? Do you know him?”
“Ray Ingram? Indeed, I do. Fine man.”
“Competent psychiatrist?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Tell me, do all psychiatrists agree on every mental condition?”
“No. Of course we have some disagreements. Psychiatry is not an exact science.”
“That’s interesting, Doctor. Because Dr. Salem, Dr. Donovan and Dr. Ingram are going to come here and testify that they have treated cases of multiple personality disorder. Perhaps none of them is as competent as you are. That’s all. Dismissed.”
Judge Williams turned to Brennan. “Redirect?”
Brennan got to his feet and walked over to the witness box.
“Dr. Larkin, do you believe that because these other doctors disagree with your opinion about MPD that that makes them right and you wrong?”
“No. I could produce dozens of psychiatrists who don’t believe in MPD.”
“Thank you, Doctor. No more questions.”
Mickey Brennan said, “Dr. Upton, we’ve heard testimony that sometimes what is thought to be multiple personality disorder is really confused with other disorders. What are the tests that prove multiple personality disorder isn’t one of those other conditions?”
“There is no test.”
Brennan’s mouth dropped open in surprise as he glanced at the jury. “There is no test? Are you saying that there’s no way to tell whether someone who claims he has MPD is lying or malingering or using it to excuse some crime he or she doesn’t want to be held responsible for?”
“As I said, there is no test.”
“So it’s simply a matter of opinion? Some psychiatrists believe in it and some don’t?”
“That’s right.”
“Let me ask you this, Doctor. If you hypnotize someone, surely you can tell whether they really have MPD or they’re pretending to have it?”
Dr. Upton shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Even under hypnosis or with sodium amytal, there is no way of exposing someone if he or she is faking.”
“That’s very interesting. Thank you, Doctor. No more questions.” Brennan turned to David. “Your witness.”
David rose and walked over to the witness box. “Dr. Upton, have you ever had patients come to you, having been diagnosed by other doctors as having MPD?”
“Yes. Several times.”
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