As large numbers of people arrived to crowd the gallery, Judge Anthony Boscorell opened court again today for the second day in the trial of Zoe Azariah. Judge Boscorell began proceedings with the exchange of evidence between the prosecution and the defense and discovered, to everyone’s surprise, that while the defendant has a lawyer outside the courtroom, she chose to represent herself in the actual proceedings – a requst that the judge withhheld a decision pending his confidence in her competence.
Azariah proceeded to provide the prosecution with a brown paper bag containing her evidence for their review. While Boscorell offered the prosecution a continuance to allow time for him and his staff to review the evidence, lead prosecutor Everett Thane decided to press on without delay, reviewing it later.
Azariah proceeded to provide the prosecution with a brown paper bag containing her evidence for their review. While Boscorell offered the prosecution a continuance to allow time for him and his staff to review the evidence, lead prosecutor Everett Thane decided to press on without delay, reviewing it later.
Moving into opening statements, Thane referred to an article in the November 30, 2015 AP Times, where the alleged crimes were identified publicly. Specifically, he said, "if anyone read the November 30th edition of the AP Times, it lists for everyone to see, the charges Miss Azariah is suspected of committing ... murder, attempted murder, kidnaping, assault, resisting arrest, and on and on. In fact, 17 charges are filed against her. Could it be possible that one person ... this one attractive female, could have possibly committed these unspeakable crimes?"
Thane seemed confident he would be able to prove without reasonable doubt that Azariah committed all of these crimes and in his words, “does not recognize remorse, or even penalty of law” and went on to say “she is even proud of her accomplishments of such terrifying acts against the people of Asphyxiation Point."
Thane seemed confident he would be able to prove without reasonable doubt that Azariah committed all of these crimes and in his words, “does not recognize remorse, or even penalty of law” and went on to say “she is even proud of her accomplishments of such terrifying acts against the people of Asphyxiation Point."
In her opening statement Zoe Azariah pled innocent to all the charges, adding, “... given the absurdity of the list of charges and the unlikelihood of it being committed by a solitary human being – one does wonder if the police have resorted to victimizing innocent young girls that live without support to convince the public that they still have the capacity to deal with crime in the city."
At that point, Judge Boscorell asked if the psychological evaluation performed on the defendant was available. After a delay, the defendant pressured the judge about it, and he remanded her sternly that he is in charge and will make the decision about allowing Dr. Steerpike’s report in the courtroom.
At that point, Judge Boscorell asked if the psychological evaluation performed on the defendant was available. After a delay, the defendant pressured the judge about it, and he remanded her sternly that he is in charge and will make the decision about allowing Dr. Steerpike’s report in the courtroom.
Prosecutor Thane called his first witness, Dr. Leigh Steerpike, to the stand. She testified that she conducted two 2- hour sessions with Ms. Azariah and that her assistant also conducted an IQ test and a personality trait assessment.
Under questioning, Dr. Steerpike testified that the purpose was to determine whether the subject is mentally incapacitated and/or mentally unstable. As for IQ, anyone who scores under 70 is considered mentally handicapped.
The judge pressed for Dr. Steerpike to provide answers to Ms. Azariah’s competence to (1) stand trial and (2) defend herself, and finally, the psychiatrist stated her opinion, to wide stares of disbelief throughout the courtroom, “Given the interviews and testing of Miss Zoe Azariah, she is not fit to stand trial at this time. She is incapable of understanding the differences of right and wrong and is disconnected from her actions in such a way that she is unable to comprehend the consequences of her behavior. It is my belief that she needs intensive psychiatric therapy and medication before she is ready to stand trial, much less participate in her defense."
The accused, representing herself, immediate stood up and requested a change of plea, “That changes things. In light of Leigh's [Dr. Steerpike’s] assessment, the defendant would like to plead innocent by insanity.”
Under questioning, Dr. Steerpike testified that the purpose was to determine whether the subject is mentally incapacitated and/or mentally unstable. As for IQ, anyone who scores under 70 is considered mentally handicapped.
The judge pressed for Dr. Steerpike to provide answers to Ms. Azariah’s competence to (1) stand trial and (2) defend herself, and finally, the psychiatrist stated her opinion, to wide stares of disbelief throughout the courtroom, “Given the interviews and testing of Miss Zoe Azariah, she is not fit to stand trial at this time. She is incapable of understanding the differences of right and wrong and is disconnected from her actions in such a way that she is unable to comprehend the consequences of her behavior. It is my belief that she needs intensive psychiatric therapy and medication before she is ready to stand trial, much less participate in her defense."
The accused, representing herself, immediate stood up and requested a change of plea, “That changes things. In light of Leigh's [Dr. Steerpike’s] assessment, the defendant would like to plead innocent by insanity.”
Upon acknowledging, reluctantly, the new plea, Judge Boscorell issued the following order, “You will continue to wear your ankle bracelet, you are still prohibited from going to climax, consuming any alcohol or non prescribed drugs. I order you to to attend a therapy session daily with Dr. Steerpike at no less than 4 hours a day. I also order you to retain legal counsel, that would be an attorney, before coming back in this court room.” He explained that all prior existing orders still stand, and if she violates any of these orders, she will be remanded to an institution for life.
Prosecutor Thane requested she be confined to a facility until the final result is conclusive, as the judge dismissed the proceedings and tried to quell the crowd’s loud rantings with his gavel.
by AP Times Reporter Moon Powder
Prosecutor Thane requested she be confined to a facility until the final result is conclusive, as the judge dismissed the proceedings and tried to quell the crowd’s loud rantings with his gavel.
by AP Times Reporter Moon Powder
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