Psychology Expert

Medical Expert Witnesses Claim Former Pennsylvania Senator Unfit for Trial

Written on Saturday, February 1st, 2014 by Colin Holloway, Attorney at Law
Filed under: In the News

Several medical expert witnesses have testified for the defense team of former Pennsylvania State Senator, Raphael Musto, who faces federal corruption charges.  Defense lawyers claim that the aging Musto, who is 84, is physically and mentally unfit to undergo the rigors of trial. As reported by the Associated Press, Musto’s defense attorneys had an expert witness testify to Musto’s psychological health, and another two medical expert witnesses offer medical diagnosis that suggest the elder statesmen cannot survive a trial.

Being declared unfit for trial, for either mental or physical reasons, is a rare defense in criminal trials, and is typically restricted to defendants who cannot comprehend the charges they face and the consequences of a conviction.  In this case, Mr. Musto’s psychological expert witness testified that the defendant was unable to sustain a conversation, and could likely not testify on his behalf due to his deteriorating mental condition.  Supplementing this testimony, medical expert witnesses indicated concerns over liver disease and other physical ailments that have kept the former lawmaker bedridden.  Medical and psychological expert witness testimony are critical to successfully arguing a defendant is unfit to withstand trial, and it appears that Mr. Musto’s defense team has taken exhaustive measures to satisfy the need for expert opinion.

About Colin Holloway, Attorney at Law

LinkedIn Colin Holloway is an attorney operating in the Washington DC area. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and Emory University School of law, and has practice experience in criminal defense, personal injury litigation, mediation, and employment law.

About Colin Holloway, Attorney at Law

LinkedIn Colin Holloway is an attorney operating in the Washington DC area. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and Emory University School of law, and has practice experience in criminal defense, personal injury litigation, mediation, and employment law.