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Experts say
Uyesugi was
not insane
A doctor says the accused
By Suzanne Tswei
Xerox slayer 'acted in angry
fashion, knowing what
he was doing'
and Debra Barayuga
Star-BulletinByran Uyesugi knew what he was doing was wrong when he walked into the Xerox warehouse and gunned down seven of his coworkers, according to testimony from two of three mental health experts appointed by the court.
And he was not insane when he killed them, the experts said.
"In my opinion, this happened because of anger built up over a long period of time," said Dr. Thomas Cunningham, a psychologist with the state Health Department who took the stand today in the second week of the murder trial. "He acted in angry fashion, knowing what he was doing."
While Uyesugi suffered from delusions and hallucinations, the mental health professionals said it did not affect his ability to know right from wrong and to control his behavior -- the legal test of insanity -- when he opened fire.
His delusions led to anger, which "played a great role" in Uyesugi's decision to shoot and kill his co-workers, Cunningham testified.
Cunningham said he believed Uyesugi knew he did not have to kill his co-workers. Instead of leaving his job to resolve his problems, "he behaved violently in accordance with his anger," he concluded.
Dr. James Greene, a private psychologist also testified Uyesugi showed "no significant impairment" in his ability to make judgments and to control his actions.
The shootings were planned, carried out in "an orderly and organized fashion," and Uyesugi was "calm," "very methodical," knew he'd be caught and waited for police, Greene said. "All of that told me he was very much in control of himself," he told the jury.
While he talked with a police negotiator, Uyesugi was "coherent, reasonable and rational," Greene said. His statement to the negotiator that he had to kill his co-workers was another indication he knew right from wrong, Greene said.Greene said he reviewed police reports, witness statements, prison reports, in addition to an interview with Uyesugi and visits to gun shops and a shooting range.
Cunningham interviewed Uyesugi for two-hours and reviewed Uyesugi's medical records, personnel records, police reports and prison records to reach his conclusions.
Defense attorney Rodney Ching asked Cunningham if Uyesugi's mental problems were longstanding and questioned Cunningham about his experience as a forensic psychologist.
He also asked Cunningham if someone suffering from delusional disorder can function normally in life. Cunningham answered yes.
The defense is expected to present its own experts as early as tomorrow. The defense contends that because of his mental illness, Uyesugi was legally insane or under extreme emotional or mental distress when he committed the crimes.
Evidence that Uyesugi knew he had done something wrong included his fleeing the scene and his reluctance to surrender to police immediately after he was located, which showed he knew there was consequences for his actions, Cunningham said.
His actions surrounding the shooting also indicated he had a plan, which showed "cognitive strength," Cunningham said. That day, Uyesugi brought a gun, holster and "plenty of ammunition" and "took advantage" of the meeting that morning where he knew all those people who he bore a grudge against would be all in one place.
Also, during talks with crisis negotiator Sheryl Sunia, Uyesugi indicated he had options _ to face a murder charge or commit suicide. He also indicated he had let his family down. "It meant he understood they would be embarrassed, shocked, humiliated in some way by virtue of the nature of the act he committed," Cunningham testified.
Uyesugi also did not believe he had acted in self-defense, as someone with legal authority or as "an agent of God," Cunningham said. He did not believe the victims had accepted their fate or that they were demons who had taken the form of human beings.
While Uyesugi did have delusions _ a "false, unshakable belief," they were not of the type that would justify a violent act, Cunningham said. Uyesugi's ability to control his actions is evident by his behavior during the incident, Cunningham said. He was not "behaving wildly." He didn't "act aggressively" toward two people he encountered during the shootings. "In effect, he let them go," Cunningham said.
Steve Matsuda, who prosecutors say was shot at as he fled the scene, was expected to testify this afternoon when the prosecution was to conclude its case.
Xerox killings
