Judge appoints expert to study Garrido’s mental state
By Sam Stanton, Sacramento Bee
The judge in the Phillip Garrido case today appointed an expert on “malingering” to assess the accused kidnapper and rapist’s mental state, and his lawyer revealed she may seek a change of venue for at least part of the case.
Garrido, accused of kidnapping Jaycee Lee Dugard in 1991 when she was 11, already is the subject of a mental evaluation requested by his public defender and El Dorado Superior Court Judge Douglas Phimister.
But the judge said he wanted another expert to also examine Garrido, but didn’t elaborate why.
District Attorney Vern Pierson said after the hearing that he believes Garrido will be found competent to stand trial along with his wife, Nancy.