Eades
The co (wasn't expecting the facebook thread to be thrown up when he did this, clearly)urt is shown an hour-long video of Christensen talking to a woman at the UI counseling center. He admits his alcohol problem, says his main motivation to stop drinking was to lose weight b/c drinking interfered with his health & nutrition goals (he was into fitness)
Says he had low self-esteem as a teenager, had depression. Says his mother was an alcoholic, too. Doesn't talk to his siblings much, and doesn't have any friends
Christensen says he also has trouble sleeping. Says the only point of contention in his marriage is his substance abuse. Tells the counselor about how Michelle wanted to separate
Also tells her about his suicidal thoughts, then about his interestcin serial killers (which we've heard before). Says he lost his passion, felt like a failure in physics
Video continues to play. Says his plans are far along on how he'd kill someone (which we've heard before). Says he doesn't talk to his psychiatrist much
At the end of the video, the counselor shares resources available to Christensen, counseling options, phone numbers, mobile apps, community referrals, group therapy, etc. "I just want to make sure we have an idea of what we can do to keep you safe," she says
@W
Pollock questions Huckstadt, pointing out BC was supposed to get a consultation during the appointment (which didn't happen), and that he went back for another counseling session, repeating his plans to kill people with more detail, and to a licensed counselor
@WCIA3
She again has Huckstadt confirm the FBI hasn't corrobotlrsted evidence that he killed anyone else
Huckstadt says Bullis was paid $1,000 by the FBI for "services" between June 16-21, before the wallk even happened. Nelson recrosses Huckstadt, points out BC told the counselor AND TB of his interest in serial killers. The judge told him to move on b/c it was repetetive other than Zhang (so, it's okay for her to mention it but it's a mistrial when defense mentions it?)
(Pleased judge is annoyed)
The jury recesses. The judge addresses Brendt Christensen directly, informing him of his right to choose whether he testifies or not. "Whether or not you testify is your decision. Do you understand that?" "Yes," says Christensen, speaking in court for the first time
He asks a series of questions about whether BC understands his decision and that no one else is deciding for him, regardless of either legal team's possible desires. "That's correct," he says