Psychologist says attempted-murder defendant is clinically depressed
A psychologist who analyzed a defendant currently on trial for attempted murder testified Thursday that she believes Oscar Gonzales is clinically depressed.
Annette Ermshar, the psychologist, said Gonzalez's mental condition may have hindered his ability to properly consider the consequences of his actions.
Gonzalez, 46, of Chino Hills is accused of trying to strangle his estranged wife to death in February 2006 after hiding in her car while she was working at her job in Chino.
During the trial, Gonzalez's defense attorney has been trying to show that his client's mental state had deteriorated because of grief over the separation.
The attorney, Robert Von Schlichting, has said that when Gonzalez confronted his wife the night of the attack, he didn't intend to kill her, only to coerce her into speaking to him by scaring her.
During testimony on Thursday, Ermshar said that when she spoke to him last year, Gonzalez said he thought about killing himself three to four times after his wife told him she wanted a divorce in late 2004.
Gonzalez, a construction worker, told Ermshar that about two weeks after his wife said she wanted a divorce, he contemplated jumping off as he stood on an eight-floor scaffolding platform at a construction site.
She also said that her diagnosis of clinical depression is supported by Gonzalez's frequent crying, weight loss, change in sleeping patterns and avoidance of family gatherings after the divorce announcement.
"An individual who has a major depressive disorder ... that could impact their decision making and their behaviors," Ermshar said.
Gonzalez's wife, Maria del Rosario Gonzalez, was also called to testify Thursday by Von Schlichting.
Maria del Rosario Gonzalez was asked questions primarily about offers from her husband and daughter to accept $10,000 or $20,000 from the family to leave the area for a year to have time to think about her decision to seek a divorce.
She said she initially accepted the offer for money, but later changed her mind and never accepted any money from her husband.
Maria del Rosario Gonzalez was very emotional during her testimony Thursday, crying and shaking as she was last week when she testified about the circumstances of the 2006 attack.
Several times during the morning portion of Thursday's trail, Von Schlichting tried to call Deputy District Attorney Michele Daly to the witness stand.
Von Schlichting said he heard the prosecutor tell Maria del Rosario Gonzalez before the hearing that she would be asked to testify about the money offer from her husband.
Judge Michael Libutti denied Von Schlichting's request each time it was made.
Testimony in Gonzalez's trial is scheduled to continue Monday morning in West Valley Superior Court, with Ermshar still on the witness stand.
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