Mental health workers testify in Becker trial

A psychiatrist with Covenant Hospital in Waterloo, testified Mark Becker was discharged the day before he shot Ed Thomas because his symptoms of hearing voices that directed him to do bad things lessened and he wanted to leave.

Dr. Sunita Kantamneni said Becker, 24, was admitted because he was hearing voices, seeing Satan and being controlled by others. Becker also said he felt as if he was under a spell and being hypnotized by someone.

Kantamneni and some mental health workers testified today for the defense in Beckers first-degree murder trial in Butler County District Court. Becker is accused of shooting and killing Ed Thomas, Aplington-Parkersburg football coach.

Becker was committed to Covenant after vandalizing a home in Cedar Falls and leading police on a high speed chase June 20.

Kantamneni said he suffered from marijuana abuse diagnosed him as schizophrenic. She initially wanted Becker to stay in the psychiatric ward for four to five days but after taking two prescribed medications he improved and asked to go home.

Becker overheard a staff member say he was on a 48 hour hold in the unit, she said. The hospital couldn't hold him against his will if he is no longer a threat to himself or others, without getting a civil commitment and Kantamneni said it wasn't warranted. His condition had improved with medications - lorazepam and geodon which are usually prescribed for anti-anxiety and schizophrenia.

Kantamneni said Becker tested positive for marijuana but not methamphetamine. If he was taking meth it would have aggravated his condition.

On cross examination, she said the dosages of the prescribed drugs taken in the hospital could have stayed in Becker's system for one to two days but everyone reacts differently to medications.

Adam Taylor, a services coordinator with Cedar Valley Community Support Services, testified he picked up Becker from the hospital June 23, when he was discharged and told him to stay home at his Waterloo apartment and not to see his parents for a few days. Becker seemed to be agitated by them, so Taylor thought it was best to give Becker a few days on the medication before seeing Joan and Dave Becker.

Taylor said he was suppose to come back on June 24 and pick up Becker and take him to get his prescriptions filled but when he went to his apartment, he wasn't home.

Joan Becker testified Wednesday that Becker called her and wanted his parents to pick him up and take him to their home. She knew he had been released from the hospital and thought she should call Taylor to make sure it was OK. Joan Becker said she couldn't reach Taylor and went ahead and took her son to their home in rural Parkersburg.

The morning of June 24 is when Becker shot Thomas at the temporary high school weight room.

Taylor said he never got a page or message that night from Joan Becker. He received it the next day.