Attorney says focus on Zoloft hurt boy's defense
Associated Press
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/08/28/met_546049.shtml
Friday, August 28, 2009
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WINNSBORO, S.C. --- A 12-year-old South Carolina boy who killed his grandparents, blaming Zoloft, might have been better off if his attorneys had been focused on his defense instead of on drawing attention to the possible side effects of antidepressants, one of the boy's lawyers testified Thursday.
"The biggest fear that I had was that we needed more perspective from a criminal defense lawyer in South Carolina," Karen Menzies, a civil litigator who was one of several attorneys on Christopher Pittman's original team.
Ms. Menzies testified during the second day of testimony in a hearing that will determine if Mr. Pittman gets a new trial.
In 2001, when he was 12, Mr. Pittman killed his grandparents, Joe and Joy Pittman, with a shotgun and set fire to their Chester County home.
He took off in the family's car, initially telling police a black man committed the crimes but later saying he shot the couple as they slept.
During his 2005 trial, Mr. Pittman's attorneys unsuccessfully argued that the antidepressant Zoloft was to blame for his crimes. Now a new defense team is asking for a new trial, arguing that the original attorneys made mistakes. Circuit Judge Roger Young is hearing testimony and will make that decision later.
Ms. Menzies, a California attorney specializing in pharmaceutical litigation, says she was put on Mr. Pittman's defense team because of her expertise in dealing with drug companies.
Ms. Menzies worked with Andy Vickery and said the pair hoped to draw attention to the possible harmful side effects of antidepressants.
The case spurred a media maelstrom.
"It was not helpful to Chris' case," Ms. Menzies said. "I think, in the end, it was detrimental."
Taking the stand next, Mr. Vickery denied taking the case purely to publicize his own fight.
Mr. Vickery also said he worked extensively on a plea deal for Mr. Pittman before jurors returned with a guilty verdict, but says prosecutors would only agree to a deal under which Mr. Pittman would serve a maximum sentence.