Psychologists excused
from Xerox case

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

Two psychologists appointed to a three-member panel to examine accused murderer Byran Uyesugi and determine his fitness to go to trial have been excused at their request.

Psychologist Dennis Donovan indicated he didn't think he could be a fair and impartial examiner because a neighbor is related to a Xerox employee, according to Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter.

Psychologist John Wingert asked to be removed permanently from the list of court examiners because of professional responsibilities, Van Marter said.

Circuit Judge Michael Town yesterday appointed psychologists James Greene and Thomas Cunningham to replace them.

Dr. Leonard Jacobs, a psychiatrist, will remain on the panel.

Uyesugi, a copy machine repairman, is accused of fatally gunning down his supervisor and six other employees at the Xerox building on Nimitz Highway, in the state's worst multiple slaying.

The panel is responsible for determining whether Uyesugi is mentally competent to stand trial and whether he was legally insane at the time of the Nov. 2 shooting.

Van Marter said he believes the new panel can finish its examination and prepare a report by a Jan. 24 court-ordered deadline. Meanwhile, all court proceedings are suspended until a fitness hearing on Feb. 9.

Uyesugi's attorney, Ronald Ching, said the defense has hired Dr. Daryl Matthews, a local forensic psychiatrist, as its main defense expert.

The defense has said it may raise the insanity defense and has subpoenaed relevant documents, including Uyesugi's mental health records from Castle Hospital.

Yesterday, it turned over to prosecutors 105 pages of Uyesugi's Kaiser medical records.