Murder on a Sunday Morning (Term Paper Sample)

Forensic Psychology Assessments: Case Study of "Murder on a Sunday Morning”
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Abstract
Butler’s case, in the documentary "Murder on a Sunday Morning" highlights how prosecution errors, such as racial profiling and arbitrary investigations could lead to injustice. It also highlights the critical roles that forensic evidence could play in resolving crime. In the case, Butler was falsely accused of murder and kept in jail for six months. However, a systematic defense revealed the errors in the case, culminating in his release and subsequent compensation. Forensic psychology assessment could have been instrumental in determining Butler’s competence to stand trial and waive his Miranda rights, any risks factors relevant to the case, the psychological and physical torture rendered on him, and the fact that he was a juvenile getting in contact for the first time, hence was non familiar with the arresting and processing logistics. This would possibly have led to earlier release of the juvenile.
Forensic Psychology Assessments: Case Study of "Murder on a Sunday Morning”
Introduction
The case study is obtained from the award-winning documentary, "Murder on a Sunday Morning," in which a 15-year-old African American boy was accused of killing an elderly woman through a gunshot. The crime scene entails an elderly man who witnessed his wife being shot dead by a black male assailant who was robbing her (Injustice Busters, 2001). The suspect is characterized as a six-foot tall skinny black male aged between 20 and 25 years. Hours after the alleged time of crime, the police arrested Brenton Butler, a 15-years old black male who was much shorter and younger than the alleged killer. This was after he was found near the crime scene and the victim’s husband identified him as the one that shot the wife. Butler was arrested, taken to the police station, interrogated in the absence of his parents or attorney, and even taken to the woods near the crime scene where he was forced to locate a murder weapon, and was manhandled by the detectives when they could not extract information from him. Later on, Butler was forced to sign a pre-written confession by Dwayne Darnell who had taken over the case. The confession would become an essential piece of evidence against Butler. Butler was remanded.
However, the case took a dramatic turn when Ann Finnell and Patrick Mc Guinness, both working as public defenders for Butler against the state of Florida, took over the case. The two defense attorney adopted a systematic methodology to prove the prosecution wrong and Butler innocent. To this end, they were able to prove that Butler was physically and psychologically tortured by the police, and forced to sign a confession; neither forensic evidence nor murder weapon were found as claimed by the prosecution; Butler did not have historical risk factors such as mental disorders, poor parenting or economic issues; Butler never had the motive of murder; and the prosecution had done a shoddy job in gathering evidence and proving their case Injustice Busters(2002). Butler was set free after six years in college. He sued for violation of his rights and received a compensation of $7.75 million. The real killer was later arrested, prosecuted and convicted of the murder.
While the accused got justice, it is indicative to note that had the police notified Butler of his Miranda rights, done thorough investigations according to the law and conducted forensic assessments appropriately, Butler would not have made a confession, the truth would have been established much earlier, and he would not have spent six months in jail for a crime he never committed. The case study paper discusses the aspect of forensic psychology assessment with regard to Butler’s case.
The Role of a Forensic Psychologist in the Case
Forensic psychology professionals play a central role in cases such as that in the "Murder on a Sunday Morning." Their services are required during investigations and in the courtroom, in several ways. To start with, a forensic psychologist helps in clearing any uncertainties in a case. Forensic psychology professionals are called up to help in the fact-finding process, and are expected to provide unbiased and objective information to investigators and other relevant parties in a law court setting. According to Greenberg and Shuman (2007), forensic psychology experts provide assistance to the police and to the courts on matters of scientific, technical or other specialist knowledge beyond the general competence and ordinary commonsense experience of judges, magistrates, justices of the peace, or lay fact-finders. Decision-makers in the criminal justice process are expected to make hard decisions amidst uncertainties. It is the job of a forensic expert to help the officials reduce these uncertainties, so that magistrates and jurors make informed decisions in the best interest of justice. In most cases, the forensic professionals are required to carry out assessments on suspects, witnesses and even court officers. In the given case study, for example, one role of the forensic psychology professional would be to carry out mental and psychological assessments on the Butler and the witness, firstly to establish whether or not they had the required mental or psychological health status to competently stands trial (for the suspect) or testify (for the witnesses). Also, the forensic psychology professional would determine Butler’s cognitive skills and his capacity to waive his Miranda rights.
In addition, the forensic psychologist could help in resolving information regarding the accounts given by parties in the case. By conducting psychological assessments on the accused, it is possible to establish if Butler, being a juvenile, is competent to stand trial, and identify any risk psychosocial, economic and cultural factors that could have contributed to criminal’s tendencies for Butler. From the case, it is evident that Butler did not have any risks factors such as poverty or psychological disorders that are normally associated with murder suspects. This would have been established by a competent forensic psychologist (Grisso, 2003; Greenberg and Shuman, 2007).
Third Party Information
Although most of the information collected by the forensic psychologist is obtained from the examinee, third party information is also important. In Butler’s case, the forensic expert can interview his parents, siblings and even neighbors and friends. In the process, the expert would get information such as his childhood history, personality and habits, interpersonal relationships and tendencies, as well as whether or not he had a history of violence of abnormal behavior. It is noteworthy, for example, that Butler’s mother testified that her son was reserved and often quiet, thereby discrediting claims by one of the detectives that the juvenile hugged him when he visited their (Butler’s) home. In addition, third party information be obtained from healthcare professionals and records, and be used in the forensic assessment. In Butler’s case, it is seen that a medical doctor testifies that Butler was brutalized by the police. The forensic psychologist could report such information in the court, but it was evident in the courtroom from the case study that it carried more weight when presented by the medical doctor.
Forensic Assessment Principles
In Butler’s case, it was evidently necessary to conduct a forensic analysis on the accused or some of the witnesses. In that case, the forensic psychologist should adhere to certain principles. To start with, the principle of competence should be applied. The forensic assessment should be done by a qualified, certified and experienced professional (Kalmbach and Lyons, 2006; American Psychology Association, 2015). Closely related to competence is professional conduct and behavior, an understanding of pertinent legal aspects such as evidence collection and delivery, as well as an appreciation of standard ethical issues and controversies in the field (Lally, 2003). This is intended to make sure that the process is done competently, ensuring the reliability of the results. The expert should therefore provide proof of training, continuous learning and qualification (American Psychology Association, 2015).
Secondly, the principle of confidentiality and limitation in the disclosure of information is relevant in the case study. To this end, the question of whether the assessment results are availed to the accused or his family arises. This is a serious issue, and since there are limitations to the disclosure of the details of the assessment to the person being evaluated, it is essential that the forensic psychologist informs the accused and their family about such limitation, depending on the specific case dynamics (Kalmbach and Lyons, 2006). In addition, the principle of seeking informed consent as a standard practice applies in Butler’s case. Greenberg and Shuman (2007) note that unlike in therapeutic assessments, forensic psychology evaluations are more inclined to telling the whole truth in the testimony, even though that may in the process harm the patient. As such, an assessments may be implemented even when the patient does not consent of it. Nonetheless, it is essential that the expert witness informs the patient about the essence of the test, and why there are some limitations, if any (American Psychology Association, 2015).
Another forensic assessment principle that applies in Butler’s case involves impartiality, and reduction of bias and conflicting interests. Principally, the forensic psychologist should not take the role if they have conflicting interests in the case, as this could affect their commitment to impar...