Dr.

Lee Vaughn Helm Direct (Script, guideline, whatever you wanna call it)
B: Can you please state your name for the record?
A: Dr. Lee Vaughn Helm.
B: And what is your occupation?
A: I am a licensed Psychotherapist.
B: What is your educational background?
A: I received my PhD in Abnormal Psychology from Buffalo Niagara University, where I
currently teach Clinical Psychology to grad students.
B: Do you do anything else involving the field of psychology?
A: Oh, yes. I have an active psychology practice, where my main focus is on depression and
identifying the signs and symptoms of potential suicide. I have written many articles which were
published in the American Journal of Psychology, and my new book entitled I wasnt Kidding
when I Said Life Sucks, a book intended to help people identify signs of suicidal tendencies in
their loved ones, should be in stores within the next few weeks. I also do consulting work.
B: What kind of consulting work do you do, Dr.?
A: I help to determine whether suspicious deaths are suicidal or homicidal.
B: And who have you helped in that way?
A: Various insurance companies and law enforcement agencies across the country.
B: How many consulting jobs have you done?
A: To many to count. This is, I think, the 56th case Ive worked on for Heartfeld, and there have
been many others.
B: Is that what youre doing today? (NOTE, this may draw an improper leading objection, in
which case I will rephrase)
A: Yes. Ive been retained by the Heartfelt Insurance Company to look into the death of Martian
Serious.
B: Your Honor, I offer Dr. Lee Vaughn Helm as an expert in the field of Psychology
Court: The Court will either accept you as an expert, or tell me that its not necessary to proffer
my witness and tell me to continue.

B: Now Dr. Vaughn Helm, have you reached an expert opinion on the death of Martian Serious?
A: Yes I have.
B: What is your expert opinion regarding the death of Martin Serious?
A: It is my opinion that, within a reasonable degree of psychological certainty, Martian Serious
committed suicide.
B: Have you ever spoken with Martian Serious?
A: No, I have not.
B: How is it, then, that you can opine on his death?
A: In reaching my opinion, I have reviewed: the Autopsy Report on Martin Serious, as well as
the Toxicology Report, CPS Lab Firearms, Ballistic, DNA and Fingerprint Analysis reports,
photographs of the deceased, the death certificate of Martin Serious, the police statements and
Grand Jury Testimony of both Zak Nugent Serious and Thomas Osiski, and the Grand Jury
Testimony of Detective Stephen Tyler. I compared all this raw data against the DSM-4 and my
own professional knowledge on depression and suicide.
B: Whats the DSM-4?
A: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (Or DSM for short) is
the book for diagnosing mental disorders in the field of Psychology.
B: What pasts of the DSM did you use in reaching your expert opinion?
A: The Criteria for Major Depressive Episode checklist on page 356.
B: Your Honor, I move, under Rule 201 (b)(2) & (d), that this Court take judicial notice of the
DSM-4s Criteria for Major Depressive Episode checklist on page 356, as it is capable of
accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be
questioned.
Court : The Court will definitely say something here. Either way I will be asking you about the
symptoms of depression and how someone is diagnosed. Either way we will be using the
information found in the DSM. If I can, I will offer the book into evidence and have you read
bits.
B: What are the possible symptoms of depression?
A: Thatll take some explaining. Over at least 2 weeks, to be diagnosed with depression, a person
would need to exhibit either Depressed Mood or loss of interest or pleasure, and at least 5 of

the following 9 symptoms: depressed mood, which can be inferred through the observations of
others, loss of interest or pleasure, weight change ( 5% in a month), insomnia, psychomotor
agitation or retardation, fatigue, inappropriate guilt, diminished ability to think or
concentrate, and recurrent thoughts of death.
B: How many symptoms did Martian Serious have?
A: Six. Depressed mood, diminished interest, insomnia, fatigue, inappropriate guilt, recurrent
thoughts of death.
B: How do you know all this about a man you never met?
A: By the telling of first hand observations by Zak Nugent Serious to Detective Tyler. While
Martin was a downer by nature, Zak said that after Martin called off the tour Marty was in a
deep funk (Depressed mood). Sometimes, he didnt get out of bed. And when he did, hed just
go into the recording studio with a bottle of Jack and hole up in there for hours on end
(diminished interest). Martins physician, Dr. Marvin Gaye, diagnosed Martian with Insomnia.
Fatigue goes hand in hand with insomnia and the medication Martian was taking, Nitrazepam,
which helps a person get to sleep, but does not permit deep recuperative sleep. Inappropriate
guilt stemming from the fact that he is dying and missed out on over 90% of Zaks life.
Recurrent thoughts of death stemming from his terminal cancer diagnosis.
B: What is your professional opinion with regard to the possibility of Martian Serious having
Depression?
A: It is my opinion that, within a reasonable degree of psychological certainty, Martian Serious
had Depression.
B: Im sorry Dr., how does Depression help you reach a conclusion on suicide?
A: Of the 5 most common triggers of suicide, Depression can account for 2, Mood or thought
changes, and Mental Disorder.
B: What are the other 3 triggers?
A: Stressful events and situations, like a terminal diagnosis or arguments with loved ones,
excessive use of Alcohol and other drug use, and Modeling, or a family history of suicide.
B: Out of the 5 triggers for suicide, how many did Martin Serious exhibit?
A: 4 out of 5.
B: In your professional opinion, was Martian Serious Suicidal?
A: Yes.

B: Now Doctor, have you read the autopsy report on Martin Serious?
A: I have.
B: Can you describe to me how Martin Serious died?
A: He died from a gunshot behind his right ear, with the bullet ending up behind his left eye.
B: Doctor, where in the entry wound for most headshot suicides located? (Do hand motions in
your answer)
A: Either through the roof of the mouth, the forehead, and the temple, in no specific order.
B: Is the method in which the gun must be held to create the kind of wound Martin Serious
sustained similar to any of the usual locations?
A: Yes. Its fundamentally similar to a temple shot. The only thing thats different is the
positioning of the head. (Put finger gun to temple and turn your head left). Aside from the
position of the head, the two are identical.
B: Identical. No further questions.