Frei has no psychological disorders, psychiatrist testifies

UPDATE: A psychiatrist testified Tuesday that Denise Frei does not meet the criteria for legal insanity and does not suffer from any psychological disorders, contradicting a Kansas psychologist who testified Monday.

Dr. Michael Taylor said he disagrees with psychologist Marilyn Hutchinson's diagnosis that Frei suffers from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“She (Frei) was very clear on what had happened that day and why it happened,” Taylor said. “She was able to deliberate, premeditate and could form specific intent to kill.”

Frei also understood the nature and quality of her act and understood right from wrong, Taylor said.

Taylor, of Des Moines, was one of the prosecution's rebuttal witnesses Tuesday to wrap up testimony in Frei's first-degree murder trial in Scott County District Court. Closing arguments are scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Frei is accused of beating to death Bailey with a rock and other objects July 19, 2009. Frei's son Jacob Hilgendorf and friend Jessica Dayton, both 21, were convicted and are serving life sentences for their part in the crime.

Frei testified Monday she killed Bailey because he sexually, physically and verbally abused her and threatened to burn or kill her children if she left him. She had no other way out, except to end his life, she said.

Taylor said Frei remembered feeling rage when she beat Bailey and admitted to planning his death about week to two weeks ahead of time.

Assistant Attorney General Douglas Hammerand asked Taylor if Frei knew her actions were wrong.

Taylor said she understood, and it's why she came up with a story about a drug deal gone bad.

“Why would she tell a cover story if she thought her actions were right,” Taylor said.

Taylor also said Frei couldn't suffer from post-traumatic stress stemming from childhood sexual abuse, more than 30 years ago, as Hutchinson indicated.

“Someone could experience post-traumatic stress from being sexually abused as a child but not all those years later,” Taylor said. “She didn't have symptoms of it.”

A nurse practitioner from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and a physician's assistant from Belle Plaine Family Clinic also testified Frei had no injuries or signs of physical or sexual abuse.

Alex Bailey, 16, of Marengo, Curtis Bailey's son, was the last witness of the day. He lived with his mother but spent every Wednesday and weekends with his father and Frei.

Alex said he slept in an upstairs bedroom, across the hall from the room his father and Frei shared. He said his father and Frei argued sometimes but he never overheard anything that sounded abusive.

Hammerand asked Alex if Hilgendorf, when he lived there, was ever banned from eating with the family, as Frei said Bailey had done. Alex said no. If Hilgendorf stayed in his room, it was his choice.