Psychologist testifies defendant’s mental status affected decision in shooting

CEDAR RAPIDS — A psychologist who evaluated Denzel Wilson to assess how his mental status influenced his decision to fatally shot a man in 2023 told jurors Tuesday the murder defendant had tendencies to be hypervigilant, aggressive, act impulsively, was willing to break rules and be aggressive and hostile toward others.

Tracy Thomas, an Ames clinical and forensic psychologist testifying for the defense, said Wilson “evaluated high” on those anxiety- and mania-related disorders, but she didn’t diagnose him with any mental issues. She did conclude he didn’t meet the legal standard for insanity or diminished responsibility — meaning he understood his actions.

Wilson, 25, of Cedar Rapids, is on trial for first-degree murder and going armed with intent in the fatal shooting of Vesey-Keith, 23, of Cedar Rapids, in the early hours of June 11, 2023. His trial started Feb. 11 in Linn County District Court. The defense rested Tuesday after Thomas’ testimony. The jury will start deliberations Wednesday.

A prosecutor said last week that Wilson killed Vesey-Keith for revenge because Vesey-Keith had killed his fellow gang member, Brandon Johnson. The rival groups have continued to have “bitterness” and incidents over the years, the prosecutor said.

Witnesses, during trial, testified Wilson was the shooter that night.

Wilson testified Monday he felt threatened by Vesey-Keith that night and thought Vesey-Keith had a gun, so he shot him when he walked by Wilson.

Thomas, based on her assessment, said when Wilson fatally shot Kenyauta Vesey-Keith, he was hypervigilant — quickly reacting to any perceived danger. Even someone giving Wilson a “look” and walking back and forth, as he indicated Vesey-Keith did that night while they were waiting outside a downtown Cedar Rapids bar, was perceived as “negative or hostile.” Wilson thought Vesey-Keith being on his phone was, somehow, setting him up.

Thomas said his perceived danger was based on his childhood and past violent experiences. Wilson reported to her he had been stabbed as a teen, and as an adult struck during a drive-by shooting. He also witnessed someone being shot in Chicago.

He also experienced some trauma in his childhood, Thomas said. Wilson told her he was sexually abused as a preteen by a 13-year-old girl; he had an alcoholic parent; and his parents fought a lot and eventually separated. He had a “chaotic” upbringing, moving from Chicago to Ohio when he was 10 years old, and then to Iowa.

Thomas said it’s a combination of all those things that influenced or affected his mental status on June 11, 2023.

On cross examination, Thomas said that according to the assessment tests, Wilson also lacked empathy and remorse, was easily angered by others, overestimated his abilities, was easily frustrated and overreacted.

Thomas said Wilson admitted to participating in gangs, and that there was an ongoing conflict between Wilson’s gang, called MOB, and Vesey-Keith’s gang, called BNA.

First Assistant Linn County Attorney Monica Slaughter said hypervigilance isn’t an explanation for the shooting. Thomas agreed — saying it was a combination of Wilson’s traits that led him to perceive the situation the way he did.

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“You’re not saying that he can’t act out of hatred, anger or revenge?” Slaughter asked.

Thomas said no.

After the defense rested, Egypt Davis, 30, of Cedar Rapids, the girlfriend of a friend of Wilson, testified as a rebuttal witness for the prosecution.

Davis said Wilson, who she knew by his nickname, Dro or Pedro, got a call from her boyfriend and father of her children in the early hours of June 11, 2023, asking if Wilson could stay with them. She agreed and Wilson came around 1 a.m.

Davis, who teared up at times and seemed hesitant to answer questions, said Wilson was drunk when he got there. He asked for bleach. He told them he shot Bubba — Vesey-Keith’s nickname — in the head because Vesey-Keith had killed Johnson in 2016.

After Wilson confessed to fatal shooting, Davis said, she told him he had to leave her house because she didn’t want Vesey-Keith’s family or friends retaliating against her. She had children and didn’t want anybody “shooting up” her house.

Davis said Wilson told her about his gang affiliation and she was worried about it.

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