Murder Attempt Zoloft* 24/04/2004 Ohio Great Grandfather Shoots Baby's Mother Summary:

Second & third paragraphs from the end read:  "Larry Tucker testifies for the defense in the trial of Bob Wiles Wednesday in the Ross County Court of Common Pleas. The defense rested its case after witnesses testified Wiles' demeanor changed dramatically after he began taking the anti-depressant medication Zoloft. An expert witness for the defense also took the stand, saying he believes the Zoloft caused Wiles to become manic. The prosecution will begin calling witnesses today."

"The antidepressant defense has been raised by at least 100 people accused of violence or murder across the country. The Supreme Court recently refused to hear an appeal of a prominent South Carolina case with that defense."


http://www.centralohio.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/B8/20080424/NEWS01/804240328/1002

Second expert to counter first
Defense witness says manic state caused by anti-depressant
By ASHLEY PHILLIPS
Gazette Staff Writer

Prosecutors intend to call their own expert witness today to counter a claim Bob Wiles was insane - because he was on an antidepressant - at the time he shot a woman in 2006.

Dr. Phillip Resnick will testify after defense expert Dr. Joseph Glen Mullen told the jury he believed Wiles showed signs of being manic during the time of the shooting.

Wiles, 71, is charged with attempted murder and felonious assault in connection with the shooting of his great-granddaughter's mother, Kim McNeal, on Memorial Day 2006.

Mullen told the jury Wiles was not in control of his state on the day of the shooting.
"His manic (state) was caused by the medicine he was currently on that was supposed to help him with depression," Mullen said.

Wiles was prescribed the anti-depressant Zoloft to help him with his depression in January 2006.

According to Mullen, Zoloft caused Wiles to experience irritability, agitation and suicidal tendencies - something he never exhibited before taking the medicine.

In an extensive interview conducted with Wiles just two weeks before the trial started, Mullen said he ruled out many factors that could have caused him to react the way he did, such as stress, personality, being schizophrenic or bipolar, alcohol or illegal drugs and came to the conclusion Zoloft was the reason he reacted with such violence.

"Under normal circumstances, he would never have acted that way, but because of the effect the medicine was having on him, he did react the way he did," Mullen said.

Some of the signs someone is having a manic episode, according to Mullen, include appearing overstimulated, agitated, restless and irritable.

"He became completely obsessed with the welfare of his great-granddaughter," he said.

Mullen was asked if Wiles is still in a manic state.

"He was only in a manic state for a couple of hours the day of the incident. After he stopped taking the medicine, he returned to his usual self," he said.

Under cross examination by Ross County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Schmidt, Mullen said Wiles and others close to him told him Wiles had no recollection of the incident.

"So you're saying that just because the defendant told you that he doesn't remember, you assume that to be true?" Schmidt asked Mullen during cross-examination.

Based on his 25 years of experience in psychiatry, along with his educational background and training, Mullen came to the conclusion Wiles truly did not remember anything about the shooting.

Schmidt questioned the doctor about Wiles' relationship with McNeal, including threats made against her prior to the shooting.

"I don't think he was specifically out to get Kim McNeal. Obviously, no one else took these threats serious because no one called in law enforcement, and McNeal continued to come around the Wiles home," Mullen said.

Longtime friends of Wiles testified the person who shot McNeal is not the person they have known for so many years.

"I've never seen him lose his temper. He is usually joking around and kind," said Darlene Cash.

Larry Tucker has lived in Richmond Dale for 62 years and has known Wiles since they were in elementary school. He said he noticed during the spring of 2006 Wiles was falling apart.

"He acted like he was off something, like his mind was not right," he said.

Larry Tucker testifies for the defense in the trial of Bob Wiles Wednesday in the Ross County Court of Common Pleas. The defense rested its case after witnesses testified Wiles' demeanor changed dramatically after he began taking the anti-depressant medication Zoloft. An expert witness for the defense also took the stand, saying he believes the Zoloft caused Wiles to become manic. The prosecution will begin calling witnesses today.

The antidepressant defense has been raised by at least 100 people accused of violence or murder across the country. The Supreme Court recently refused to hear an appeal of a prominent South Carolina case with that defense.

In that case, a teen who shot and killed his grandparents as they slept claimed he was led to kill by the antidepressant Zoloft. He was found guilty by a jury and given 30 years in prison.
 
 (Phillips can be reached at 772-9376 or via e-mail at phillips@nncogannett.com)