Psychologist testifies at sentencing for man convicted of killing deputies in Panola County

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The sentencing phase of the trial has resumed in the case of Gregory Newson, who was found guilty of the 2019 murder of Panola County Deputy Chris Dickerson.

On Election Day, testimony was cut short after the defense pointed out that cross-examination of the state's witness would be lengthy. The court had to take an early recess to allow the jury to vote. The state psychologist Dr. Matthew Clem could not be reached again until Tuesday.

The defense spent its flank arguing that Clem's IQ score should have been lower for Newson. Clem was found to have a full IQ of 79.

Newson's attorney, Rick Hagan, argued that Clem should have considered the “Flynn effect.” Some psychologists lower IQ scores and use this effect to explain inflation in scores over time.

Clem said he thought about the effect but didn't use it.

The defense presented Newson's school records to the jury. Newson never completed high school. He also repeated sixth and ninth grades. In his freshman year of high school, he was late 147 times.

Related:

Copyright 2024 KLTV. All rights reserved.