Noyes trial testimony continues to reveal accused's state of mental health
By Nik Green
The trial in the death of 12-year-old John Fulton in Rossland this week waded through the testimony of mental health workers as Kimberley Ruth Noyes faces second degree murder charges in the stabbing death of the young boy that took place in August 2009. After pleading not guilty earlier, accused murderer Noyes sat staring blankly at the proceedings as her psychiatrist was put on the stand this week in the Rossland Courthouse. Questions regarding her mental state are the prime focus in the trial. Crown Prosecutor Philip Seagram had Dr. Richard Magee outline his history with Noyes and describe his standard, post consult, note taking process for the court. Magee was advised to consult with Noyes by local physician Dr. Coleshill. Magee would consult with Noyes for the first time in September of 2006. The ashen-faced Noyes heard Magee outline the early meetings that led to him having regular psychiatric consults with Noyes throughout her battle with depression. Magee described his early interactions with Noyes as semi-regular visits that took place at the mental health centre in Grand Forks. In his initial visit, hesaid, he observed her mental state as irritable, unfocussed and disengaged. Magee added the symptoms also manifested themselves in Noyes experiencing agitated motor function. Afterward, he determined Noyes was suffering from bi-polar disorder and manic depression. He said a later visit led him to conclude that Noyes had experienced a distinct change in mental state that would suggest hospitalization and was evident by her interactions with her children and work. This “manic presentation” diagnosis was made during an unscheduled meeting with Noyes. Magee went on to describe a further change in Noyes’ state that was detected in August of 2007 as Noyes’ capacity for work became diminshed and her irritability level increased all while making what Magee referred to as “bad decisions from the family’s perspective,”. This was noted as a manic type presentation but Noye’s next notable change would be present at the other end of the spectrum when she experienced a bi-polar and manic-depression-derived swing into a “flat” and “withdrawn” state. Magee said Noyes was despondant, lacking drive and had withdrawn on a social level. The trial continues this week in Rossland, B.C.
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