18 Feb 2020

Murder-accused woman showed PTSD symptoms - psychologist

From Checkpoint, 5:46 pm on 18 February 2020

A clinical psychologist says a woman on trial for the murder of her partner was displaying symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder at the time, due to her life-long history of violence and abuse.

Karen Ruddelle admits stabbing Joseph Ngapera in their Manurewa home in 2018, but claims she was acting in self defence to protect herself and her child.

The High Court at Auckland heard from the final defence witness, who described the abuse Ruddelle has suffered her entire life, by Mr Ngapera and others.

Matthew Theunissen was there.