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FAX (210)774-2610(210)775-1551Dei Rio, TX 78840P.O. Box 4020321 S. Mainconvicted murdererDickerson said he examined Milam and administered several tests. He noted Milam’s IQ tested in the 70-75 range.“The test results suggest Mr. Milam has a low outlook on himself,’' said Dickerson. “He doesn’t enjoy life very much and doesn’t see much hope for himself.”Dickerson dismissed Coons’ explanation of how the conscience works.He correctly states the conventional wisdom,1* said Coons. “A person may not have a conscience, or sometimes activity is turned off. There may be a way of correcting it.”Dickerson said roughly one-third, of test subjects show improvement with treatment.“Do you think there’s a probability Andy would commit further acts of violence?” Garcia sskcd“Yes, I do think Andy’s a greater risk than the -average citizen on the street,” saidDickerson. “There’s a one in 10possibility. . .it could be more.”“Would it make a difference if he were in prison?” asked Garcia.“Knowing Andy as I do, I think it’s far more likely that he’s going to be the bait rather than the predator in the prison system,”By DENNIS SMITHStaff WriterTestimony in state district court Tuesday turned into the “battle of the experts” as witnesses for the defense and prosecution disagreed over whether Andrew Milam was likely to kill again.Milam, 18, was found guilty of capital murder Monday. Thejury that returned that verdictTuesday began the task of deciding his punishment — life in prison or death by lethal injection.Closing arguments in the punishment phase of the trial began this morning at 9 a.m.District Attorney Tom Lee called psychiatrist Dr. Richard Coons to testify regarding the likelihood of Milam being a danger to the community. Coons said that he had reviewed Milam’s school records and case files.Lee laid out for Coons a scenario that paralleled Milam’s participation in the April 8 slaying of Edmund James at his Camp Wood ranch. The example included three young men who jokingly plan a murder and then carry out the plan. Identifying one of the young men as Mr. X, Lee asked Coons to assume thatKnowing Andy as i do, I think it's far more likely that he’s going to be the bait rather than the predator in the prison system.”Dickerson“don’t count on getting one.” “How do you assume that someone who’s done something like this won’t do it again?” Lee asked.You don’t do it by assuming they’ll get a conscience, because they won’t, Coons replied.Defense counsel Victor Robert Garcia challenged Coons’ characterization of Milam.“You did not examine Andrew Milam personally, did you,”Garcia asked.“No, I tried to,” said Coons, adding that he was not allowed access to Milam. “Many people sit there and tell you all the good things about themselves.”Noting that society, relative to Milam, would mean prison, Gar-.eia asked whether Milam wouldindeed be a threat to those around him.“Yes,” replied Coons, weapons and violence are commonplace in the prison system. It’s a scary, violent place.” Garcia countered Coons' testimony by calling Dr. William Dickerson, a psycholgist, to the witness stand.the three men procured guns, went to the victim's house, killed him, robbed his house and then went out to eat and visit friends.“Mr. X goes to bed and the next day wakes up and appears normal,” Lee said, adding that Mr. X had been in trouble with the law as a juvenile.“Are you able to render an opinion as to whether that individual would commit criminal acts in the future that would constitute a danger to the community?” Lee asked Coons.“Yes, it’s my opinion he would be a danger,” Coons said. “It was a detailed plan that was carried out over several hours. It’s hard to imagine someone with an adequate conscience going for a meal after something like this, and then going to sleep.”Coons explained that morals and family values play key roles in the formation of a conscienceduring childhood. He said some people simply don’t have consciences and do not feel guilty. “If vou’re a young adult and don’t have a conscience,” Coons said,See FATE, Page 3A
Newspaper Details
Del Rio News Herald
Del Rio, Texas, US
Wed, Jan 27, 1993
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Jared T.
NA, NA 30 May 2023
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