CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A licensed clinical psychologist testified during the bench trial of Matthew Schleier that, in her professional opinion, he was coherent and not suffering from psychosis at the time of his son’s murder.
Dr. Veronica Lestina told the court she reviewed mental health records and the testimony of other psychologists who previously took the stand but reached a different conclusion than many of them. She said the documentation and interviews showed Schleier understood his actions when he strangled his son.
“The mental health and medical health documentation provides support that there was no psychosis ongoing,” Lestina testified. “There were ongoing decisions being made. There was clarity of thinking, especially during the interview. He was able to respond to questions in a coherent, linear manner.”…