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May 20, 2008

WA v Haq: Day 21

Posted: 11:15 AM ET

SEATTLE, Washington – A diagnosis alone does not diminished capacity make; so said prosecution experts Monday during the rebuttal case against Naveed Haq. Haq is on trial for killing one person and wounding five others in a shooting on July 28, 2006 at the Jewish Federation headquarters. He has presented an insanity defense.

While psychiatrist David Dunner and psychologist Robert Wheeler agreed Haq suffers from chronic mental illness, neither found evidence he was in the midst of a manic or depressive episode at the time of the shooting. Both doctors testified Haq had the capacity to appreciate the nature of his actions – and form both intent and premeditation.

–In Session staff

Filed under: Trials


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Lee   May 20th, 2008 12:45 pm ET

I think it makes no difference if Haq was sane or not. He still killed someone and injured others, he needs to pay the price. If he is released because he is insane and is put on medicine, there is no guarantee that he will stay on the meds. This whole thing could happen all over again.

finicky12001   May 20th, 2008 12:52 pm ET

I do not believe they can say this for sure. My daughter has schzoid-Affective Disorder as well as post Traumatic Stress Disorser. At times, her mind changes between manic and depressive states at such a fast rate even medical practioners cannot keep up. This is called cycling. it happens when medications are not working properly!

Andrea   May 20th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Will Mr. Haq pleads insanity, the testimony of Dr. Wheeler suggests he had full capacity and thought process while committing the acts of violence. He is looking for a rock to hide behind (an excuse) and although he has had mental issues in the past, he seemed to be in full control and aware of his actions at the time of the event. He knew not to take the shot gun before he left for the Jewish center, for fear of fearing others and being seen. He knew what he was doing before and during the whole event. Guilty as charged!
Crazy or not Mr. Haq must be removed from society forever.

Cheryl   May 20th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

I believe that anyone who uses a gun to commit a crime is a coward. Since this crime was researched meticulously, did Mr. Haq also find out that the Center was staffed by women?

Joan Kamen   May 20th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

concerning the McGreevey case:

Dina M. is asking for 600,000. The trial costs have to be close to that
amount. This makes no sense.

Miriam   May 20th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

I agree with the prosecution's experts. Hacq apparently found a way to get sympathy with the doctors. He was educated and would often diagnosis himself to the doctors. He was full of self pity and anger as He was never treated right, people were mean to him. He sounds stuck in a child like mind. How many times do kids say the same thing. The teacher is mean to me, the kids are mean to me, they don't like me....He lied on his gun application then turned around and lied to the doctor's office about the gun!!!! wonder why--he knew what he was saying and doing and about to do.....So who is going to report to the FBI as to who is mental and should not get a gun? How are the gun dealers going to know when someone has a mental diagnosis so they won't sell them a gun???? People kill guns don't, they also lie about their medical conditions.

Faye E.   May 23rd, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Whether Haq is found guilty of the crime he committed at the Jewish Center and found to be insane at the time of the killing, or found to have been able to form intent and premeditation, I feel that he is a serious danger to society and in either case should be sentenced to life without parole in a mental institution or a prison.

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