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XEROX SHOOTINGS TRIAL
Uyesugi sees
himself as persecuted
A psychologist testifies that Uyesugi
By Debra Barayuga
seems a 'classical case' of
delusional disorder
Star-BulletinDraw a human, Byran Uyesugi was asked by a doctor as part of a battery of psychological tests in 1993.
The copy machine repairman drew a devil with a pitchfork, "smiling and watching all the bad people do bad things," said Dr. Marvin Acklin, who diagnosed Uyesugi with a delusional disorder after he was admitted to Castle Hospital that year.
When asked what the devil was thinking, Uyesugi responded: "It's just like your conscience: 'Do it. Get even with that suck-up. He did you wrong. Get him.' "
The drawing and recollections of a dog attack when Uyesugi was 13 reflected a prevailing theme of persecution, Acklin testified as the defense in the multiple murder trial continued presenting its case yesterday.
"As a result of the dog's attack, I have 11 teeth holes in my right side, my knees were scraped, and there was road gravel stuck in the open bleeding wounds, and I was shaking all over," Acklin said Uyesugi recalled.
Acklin felt the experience reflected how Uyesugi saw himself: as an individual "prone to unprovoked, premeditated attack."
Uyesugi is charged with killing seven co-workers who he believed were conspiring against him. The defense argues that Uyesugi suffered from a mental defect that prevented him from knowing right from wrong when he opened fire at the Xerox warehouse last November.
The state contends he knew what he was doing and was able to control his actions despite suffering from a delusional disorder.
Xerox officials had requested the 1993 psychological evaluation after Uyesugi had kicked in an elevator door and allegedly threatened co-workers.
Uyesugi appeared to be a "classical case" of delusional disorder, Acklin said.A German psychiatrist defined the disorder as an "insidious development of a permanent and unshakable delusional system ... accompanied by perfect preservation of clear and orderly thinking."
While delusional disorder is a serious psychiatric disorder, individuals who suffer from it do not deteriorate socially, intellectually or occupationally, Acklin said.
They can still go to work, get involved in hobbies or take care of themselves. "I would say in the case of a criminal act or any other act, it's likely to be done in a nonconfused or nondisorderly" manner, Acklin said.
During his examination, Uyesugi denied intending to hurt anyone or threatening co-workers. He even indicated he regretted kicking in the elevator door.
Partly because Uyesugi understood the reason he was admitted to Castle and his willingness to be treated, doctors believed he was a likely candidate for outpatient treatment and released him after five days.
At the time, he "didn't appear to be imminently explosive or ready to kill somebody at that moment," Acklin testified.
Xerox killings
