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'Exorcism' case: Lawyers, psychiatrist at odds over video footage

Doctor conceded it was possible Madam Valli exaggerated her symptoms at times. -ST
Selina Lum

Tue, Jul 08, 2008
The Straits Times

VIDEO footage of Madam Amutha Valli Krishnan going about her daily activities was played yet again in court.

And again, lawyers and the psychiatrist on the stand differed greatly on how to interpret what the video showed.

Madam Valli's psychiatrist, Dr Angelina Chan, was 'very happy' to see her patient doing what appeared in the video to be normal activities.

But lawyers defending a Catholic church, two priests and six church-goers against allegations that they performed an exorcism on Madam Valli, said the film showed that she was not as sick as she claims to be.

Dr Chan from the Changi General Hospital stood by her diagnosis that Madam Valli suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the 2004 'exorcism'.

But she conceded it was possible Madam Valli exaggerated her symptoms at times.

Last month, another psychiatrist, Associate Professor Ong Thiew Chai from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, also stood firm on his PTSD diagnosis despite the video.

Dr Chan spent the bulk of her second day on the stand being cross-examined on footage of Madam Valli, which showed her doing everyday activities like window-shopping and going out for meals.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.

 
 
 
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