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Watson v. Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Phoenix2/13/2003
on correctly notes, however, that Dr. Brown could not properly testify as to whether Watson was telling the truth. State v. Lindsay, 149 Ariz. 472, 475, 720 P.2d 73, 76 (1986) (expert may not give an opinion as to credibility or truthfulness of another witness). Dr. Brown admitted that he had to assume Watson was telling him the truth and could not say whether Watson's statements were accurate as that determination was for the trier of fact.
Dr. Brown's clinical testing of Watson found him to have a mixed personality disorder and narcissistic, histrionic traits. Dr. Brown described Watson as self-absorbed and attention seeking, and one who could exaggerate his emotional expression. This basic personality structure was independent of any abuse Watson had suffered from Bredemann. In addition, Dr. Brown's testing revealed evidence that Watson had a previously undiagnosed "type two bipolar condition" and that this condition would provide an explanation for some of the "mood effects" observed by his family as he was growing up.
Watson contends that Doe and Logerquist v. McVey, 196 Ariz. 470, 1 P.3d 113 (2000), hold that clinical evidence of dissociative amnesia for sex abuse "should be given great weight" by the trial court. To the contrary, both cases counsel caution, even skepticism, about such claims. Doe, 191 Ariz. at 320-21, 23, 955 P.2d at 958-59; Logerquist, 196 Ariz. at 490-91, 63-64, 1 P.3d at 133-34. In any event, it was for the trial court to assess the credibility and weight of the expert testimony, and we have been shown no basis for disturbing the trial court's assessment.
CONCLUSION
While we wholeheartedly concur with the trial court's description of Bredemann's conduct as "outrageous," and of the incident as one which was "sad and unexpected," we can find no error in the trial court's decision that the statute of limitations bars Watson's claim. Accordingly, the judgment of the superior court is affirmed.
CECIL B. PATTERSON, JR., Judge
CONCURRING:
ANN A. SCOTT TIMMER, Presiding Judge
G. MURRAY SNOW, Judge
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