Latest Developments
Gary Sampson Has History of Depression
Boston-AP) -- Prison and school records show that confessed killer Gary Sampson had a history of chronic alcohol use since age 12 as well as headaches, depression and anxiety.
That information this morning on the first day of defense testimony from a social worker who reviewed all of Sampson's school, prison and hospital records.
Defense attorneys hope to convince a jury to save Sampson's life at his federal death penalty trial. Social worker Jill Miller said the records chronicled Sampson's descent from a freckle-faced boy to drug use, alcoholism and prison. She also outlined how Sampson's family refused to be interviewed as part of her effort to gain insight into his background.
Sampson's parents refused to accept a letter, in which Sampson said he loved them and apologized for the shame he had caused them.
Before testimony began, the judge asked Jonathan Rizzo's parents to move to another part of the courtroom so that they were not directly behind the attorneys and in the jury's line of sight. Sampson pleaded guilty in September to killing Jonathan Rizzo and Philip McCloskey.
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