Mitchell has no disorder, expert testifies

A psychiatrist for the prosecution testified Tuesday that Brian David Mitchell, who is accused of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart, has "bizarre" and "extraordinarily irrational" ideas but does not suffer from a mental disorder, defect or delusion.

Dr. Noel Gardner completed his testimony Tuesday before 3rd District Court Judge Judith Atherton during the fourth day of Mitchell's second mental competency hearing. The defense began its cross-examination before court was adjourned for the day. The defense will resume its questioning today.

Gardner testified Mitchell's narcissistic personality, combined with his extreme fundamentalist religious beliefs and even his marriage to co-defendant Wanda Barzee, accounted for his behavior. But that did not mean Mitchell didn't have an understanding of what was going on around him.

"This is a man who is very aware of his environment in an attempt to portray himself a certain way," Gardner argued.

Gardner said there was no question in his mind that Mitchell was mentally competent to stand trial and reached that conclusion very quickly upon examining him.

"I thought right away he was a fundamentalist. I did not think at all he was psychotic. It was an easy decision," he said.

The mental competency issue has mainly revolved around the idea of religious zealot versus mental disorder. Mitchell's religious beliefs are borrowed from LDS fundamentalists and are very similar to those shared by thousands of others in the Intermountain region, Gardner argued.

"Brian Mitchell is nothing if not a religious fanatic," he said.

Gardner, who has an extensive background in religious study, argued it was because of his background that he had an edge over Dr. Stephen Golding and Dr. Jennifer L. Skeem in diagnosing Mitchell. Both Skeem and Golding testified for the defense that Mitchell was incompetent to stand trial.

Not only was Mitchell able to relate to his environment but he also was capable of adapting to changes in it, Gardner said — something a mentally ill person cannot do.