Behind the Bastards

Part Two: Dr. Death: The Texas Death Row Psychiatrist Who Killed So Many People

4 snips
Jul 31, 2025
In this engaging discussion, writer Stephen Monticelli dives into the dark legacy of Dr. James Grigson, a notorious psychiatrist whose flawed assessments led to wrongful executions in Texas. The talk explores the troubling intersection of psychiatric practice and political agendas, revealing how science can be twisted for harmful ends. Monticelli also highlights compelling cases of injustice, such as Randall Dale Adams, emphasizing the dire need for accountability in the legal system and the profound impact of unreliable expert testimonies.
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ANECDOTE

Randall Dale Adams Wrongful Conviction

  • Randall Dale Adams was wrongfully convicted of murdering a Dallas cop due to coerced witness testimony and police misconduct.
  • He was exonerated partly through documentarian Errol Morris's work and a Supreme Court stay just before execution.
INSIGHT

Expert Predictions Proven Faulty

  • Predictions by expert witnesses about future violent behavior in convicted killers were wrong 95% of the time.
  • Most released death row inmates lived peacefully without committing further violent acts.
ANECDOTE

Stoker Executed Despite Flaws

  • David Wayne Stoker was convicted and executed largely based on false testimony and Dr. Grigson's claim he'd kill again.
  • His defense lawyer was disbarred, and many jurors later regretted their votes influenced by Grigson.
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