This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/8254913.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Woman in 'abnormal mental state' | Woman in 'abnormal mental state' |
(9 minutes later) | |
A woman accused of killing her two daughters at their Cambridgeshire home was in an "abnormal mental state", a psychiatrist has told a court. | A woman accused of killing her two daughters at their Cambridgeshire home was in an "abnormal mental state", a psychiatrist has told a court. |
Rekha Kumari-Baker, 41, of Stretham, denies murdering Davina, 16, and Jasmine, 13, in 2007. | Rekha Kumari-Baker, 41, of Stretham, denies murdering Davina, 16, and Jasmine, 13, in 2007. |
Psychiatrist Lyle Hamilton told Cambridge Crown Court she may have been "retaliating" against men. | Psychiatrist Lyle Hamilton told Cambridge Crown Court she may have been "retaliating" against men. |
She is mounting a diminished responsibility defence, arguing she was suffering an "abnormality of mind". | She is mounting a diminished responsibility defence, arguing she was suffering an "abnormality of mind". |
Dr Hamilton said medical literature showed women had killed children because they were "mentally ill" and because they were a "retaliatory type". | Dr Hamilton said medical literature showed women had killed children because they were "mentally ill" and because they were a "retaliatory type". |
He told jurors Ms Kumari-Baker displayed a combination of both categories. | He told jurors Ms Kumari-Baker displayed a combination of both categories. |
BBC Look East Home Affairs Correspondent Sally Chidzoy was at court | BBC Look East Home Affairs Correspondent Sally Chidzoy was at court |
He said: "I think she was in an abnormal mental state. | He said: "I think she was in an abnormal mental state. |
"I think strains in the relationships with the men - key men - in her life gave rise probably to the idea of some kind of retaliation against not just them as individuals but against men generally - life." | "I think strains in the relationships with the men - key men - in her life gave rise probably to the idea of some kind of retaliation against not just them as individuals but against men generally - life." |
Dr Hamilton told jurors he interviewed Ms Kumari-Baker in prison in June 2008. | Dr Hamilton told jurors he interviewed Ms Kumari-Baker in prison in June 2008. |
He said she had no history of mental illness or disorder but he thought she may have suffered from a condition known as somatisation - where mental disturbance was revealed in complaints of physical ailments. | He said she had no history of mental illness or disorder but he thought she may have suffered from a condition known as somatisation - where mental disturbance was revealed in complaints of physical ailments. |
He told the court: "Her mental condition is complex. I do believe that these killings were driven emotionally - by disturbed emotion." | He told the court: "Her mental condition is complex. I do believe that these killings were driven emotionally - by disturbed emotion." |
Dr Hamilton said he did not think the killings were "coldly planned". | Dr Hamilton said he did not think the killings were "coldly planned". |
Earlier in the trial, a psychiatrist, called to give evidence by the prosecution and who interviewed Ms Kumari-Baker at a police station on the day of her arrest, said he could find no evidence of any mental illness. | Earlier in the trial, a psychiatrist, called to give evidence by the prosecution and who interviewed Ms Kumari-Baker at a police station on the day of her arrest, said he could find no evidence of any mental illness. |
The hearing continues. | The hearing continues. |