HOUSTON, Texas – The civil trial against the parents of Dimitrios Pagourtzis, who is accused of the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, has entered its 13th day.
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So far, we’ve heard testimonies from several families of the 10 people who were killed, including those who were injured, when Dimitrios allegedly entered Santa Fe High School in 2018 and began opening fire.
The parents and loved ones of the 10 killed are now calling for Dimitrios’ parents to be held responsible for the shooting, as well.
KPRC 2 has covered the trial since day 1, bringing you extensive details from the courtroom.
4:17 p.m. - All parties have rested their cases and court was adjourned
Trial is expected to begin Friday at 9 a.m. when the jury will receive the jury charge, closing arguments and then deliberations begin.
3:50 p.m. - Court takes a recess
3:03 p.m. - Court resumes and Dr. Peterson takes the stand again
Dr. Peterson said Dimitrios mentioned that Natasha first appeared in 8th grade, but there were no references to Natasha or the CIA in any of his journal writings before the shooting. The first mention of these delusions came after the killings.
Dr. Peterson said Dimitrios did not tell him that he played a video game called Wolfenstein, which features a character named Natasha, a secret operative and killer.
Defense attorney Torres begins questioning Dr. Peterson who confirmed that he bases his expert opinions on evidence, not fees, and that his professional reputation depends on maintaining ethical standards. He explained that there is no cure for schizoaffective disorder, though some may achieve remission with medication.
Although Dimitrios did not mention Natasha in his journals, Dr. Peterson said he did reference demons, elder gods, and extraterrestrials, which could relate to his delusions involving Natasha.
2:45 p.m. - Court takes recess
1:12 p.m. - Court resumes. Attorney Laura Laird continues to question Dr. Peterson
Laird asked Peterson what changed in Dimitrios from December 2017 to May 2018, and the doctor said his psychosis progressed and worsened over time. When his family thought he was being lazy because he wasn’t doing his chores, Peterson said Dimitrios was afraid to go outside because he thought the CIA would kill him.
Attorney Alton Todd then started questioning Peterson, asking him if Dimitrios would have killed himself the day of the shooting would he be able to give an opinion about his health? Peterson answered no, “because in psychiatry a lot is done off self-reporting and observable behaviors.”
Todd asked if there were blood or biological tests that could confirm Dimitrios’ psychosis diagnosis, and Dr. Peterson said no diagnostic tests could confirm that.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Clint McGuire questioned Dr. Peterson about his interviews with Dimitrios. Dr. Peterson confirmed that Dimitrios had told him he obtained guns from a display cabinet in the living room in late February or early March and purchased ammunition. Dimitrios also described the type of weapon he used, mentioned keeping cigarettes and alcohol in his room, and said he used a duster to conceal the guns. Dr. Peterson said Dimitrios admitted he chose the art room for the attack to cause maximum damage and wanted a location where he could defend himself from police. Dimitrios also shared that he overslept and postponed the day of the attack.
McGuire also asked about family dynamics, where Dr. Peterson clarified that if his report mentioned Dimitrios’ father being “filled with rage,” it was his interpretation, not the exact wording from Dimitrios’ mother, Rose. Dr. Peterson confirmed that the family had reported extremely high levels of tension at home due to fear of the father’s outbursts.
Noon. - Court takes a lunch break
10:13 a.m. - Court resumes. Jury brought in and the testimony of Dr. Bradley Peterson begins via zoom
Dr. Bradley Peterson, a psychiatrist and expert in childhood disorders, testified via Zoom. He was hired by the defense in the criminal case to evaluate Dimitrios’ sanity at the time of the shooting and his competency to stand trial. Dr. Peterson said he first met Dimitrios in April 2019, conducting three extensive interviews with Dimitrios and additional interviews with his family and friends.
Dr. Peterson testified that DP was severely psychotic, with significant delusions and a thought disorder, making it difficult for him to differentiate between reality and fantasy. Peterson said Dimitrios had delusions involving a demi-god named Natasha and the CIA’s MK-Ultra program, leading to paranoia and fear. Dr. Peterson diagnosed Dimitrios with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, and other conditions, including Tourette’s syndrome, social anxiety, and OCD. He stated that Dimitrios’ mental disorders directly influenced his planning and carrying out of the school shooting, driven by his delusions and fear of retribution from Natasha and the CIA.
Dr. Peterson also noted that Dimitrios’ family was unaware of the severity of his condition, as his symptoms could be mistaken for typical behavior rather than signs of a severe mental disorder. The defense argues that Dimitrios’ psychosis and delusions were central to his actions, while the plaintiffs contend that his parents missed clear signs of mental illness.
Dr. Peterson testified that Dimitrios’ memories are heavily influenced by his fantasies and delusions, making it difficult for him to distinguish between reality and fantasy. He stated that in a psychotic state, a person generally cannot discern right from wrong. For Dimitrios, his delusions about Natasha and the CIA were as real to him in 2018 and 2019 as anything else in his life, and they remain real to him today.
When asked how they could be sure Dimitrios wasn’t faking his condition, Dr. Peterson explained that Dimitrios exhibited classic symptoms and behaviors of his disorder, which are extremely difficult to fabricate, such as his thought disorder and paranoid behaviors. Dr. Peterson expressed high confidence in the validity of Dimitrios’ symptoms, noting that Dimitrios often didn’t realize his thoughts were disordered or that his behaviors were abnormal. He also mentioned that Dimitrios didn’t share his delusions about Natasha or the CIA with others out of fear of disbelief and humiliation.
9:50 a.m. - Court in recess
9:47 a.m. - Judge rules
The judge decided to limit Peterson’s testimony to the mental illness he saw during the time he interviewed Dimitrios. Peterson will not be able to testify on his opinions as to what the parents or school should or shouldn’t have known, but can discuss these topics in a general sense. For example, “Is it common for early signs and symptoms of mental illness to be missed?”
9:29 a.m. - Judge returns to the bench and allows both sides to argue their position on Dr. Peterson’s testimony
The plaintiffs argued psychiatry is a “soft science,” meaning results and opinions offered come from subjective tests and observations.
The defense argues he interviewed Dimitrios and his family, and his opinions are based on science and his years of experience.
9:17 a.m. - Dr. Bradley Peterson, the doctor who interviewed Dimitrios Pagourtzis and his family in 2019 after the deadly shooting
The trial has not yet started, but Dr. Bradley Peterson is expected to testify soon. Dr. Peterson is the psychiatrist who interviewed Dimitrios and his family in 2019 and authored the report that has been central to the case over the last week and a half.
The plaintiffs have filed a motion to limit Dr. Peterson’s testimony. They argue that he should not be allowed to tell the jury his opinions on what the family should or shouldn’t have known that could have prevented the mass shooting. They are also requesting that the judge restrict Dr. Peterson from stating his belief that Dimitrios’ statements and writings before the shooting are unreliable due to delusions.
The defense contends that Dr. Peterson’s opinions are based on his professional experience and training as a psychiatrist and are included in the report that will be discussed during his testimony. This issue is directly related to the plaintiffs’ central argument: that Dimitrios exhibited clear signs of mental illness, which his parents either missed or ignored, making them negligent for not securing help for him and ensuring the guns in the house were properly secured. The defense, on the other hand, argues that Dimitrios concealed his mental state and that the parents took appropriate measures to secure the guns, considering that Dimitrios was 17 and Texas safe storage laws apply only to minors under 16.
The judge will likely need to rule on this before the trial resumes, as Dr. Peterson is scheduled to testify first today.
Stay updated on Santa Fe Trial:
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Santa Fe trial: Accused gunman Dimitrios Pagourtzis’ younger sister testifies
Santa Fe HS shooting trial day 8: Survivor Chase Yarbrough testifies, says life ‘completely changed’