Download Ruling School Nurse Sharon Watts and more Lecture notes Nursing in PDF only on Docsity! Motion in Limine Defendant argues that Sharon Walts is unqualified to testify to clinical conclusions that the defendant seemed "catatonic," and that he was "malingering," The defendant argued that such terms are medical and psychiatric in nature and thus, require that Ms. Watts possess expertise in those practice areas. The State believes that the witness would be qualified as an expert to render an opinion that the defendant was rhfakingrt during a counseling session which would be admissible evidence of the defendant’s consciousness of guilt, Witnesses Expertise It was proffered that Ms* Watte possesses a bachelor of science degree in nursing, a masters in nursing, and 25 years as a guidance counselor and with special training as a grief counselor. The State offered her as an expert in nursing and counseling based upon this 25 years of experience. However, based upon the expertise proffered by the State, the Court cannot conclude that Ms. Watts’ background and training provides sufficient evidence to find expertise in identifying and/or diagnosing catatonia or malingering. The Fourth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (“DSM-IV”), a recognized diagnostic reference source, defines catatonia as a disorder related to either a general medical condition1 or schizophrenia, Black’s Law Dictionary (51b Ed,) defines catatonic as: Catatonic, A state found in some forms of schizophrenia, in which energy seems maintained cither at a very high or very low level; changes in muscle tone allow subject to display the ability to maintain for hours either a fixed statuesque pose or a waxy flexibility7 of the limbs; during catatonic excitement, subject exhibits wild, blind stupor, subject fails to respond to, or pay attention to, external stimuli. There may be homicidal tendencies during alternating periods of excitability and stupor. DSM-IV provides that “the essential feature of Malingering is the intentional production of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms, motivated by external incentives avoiding military duly, avoiding work, obtaining financial compensation, evading criminal prosecution, or obtaining drugs. Similarly, BIack*£ Law Dictionary defines malinger: such as
