Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm NYC Bar Association, 42 West 44th St, NYC
Sponsored by the New York City Bar Association’s Committees on Capital Punishment and the Military Affairs & Justice
Although it is difficult to determine a precise number, it is estimated that approximately ten percent of the America’s 3000 Death Row inmates are veterans. This program will explore the pathology of the condemned veteran population. In particular, the mental health implications of military service and combat will be examined in in light of Supreme Court precedents such as Porter v. McCollum. Among the issues to be discussed will be the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and military culture. The panel will also reflect upon what factors should be considered in determining the appropriate sentence for veterans convicted of capital crimes.
Panelists:
Dr. Jerid M. Fisher is a forensic neuropsychologist with more than thirty years of experience. After working for several years at the University of Rochester Medical Center as a senior instructor in psychiatry and neurology and the director of the Cognitive Functions Laboratory, he left academia to develop brain injury rehabilitation programs across the state of New York. Fisher has specialized in high- profile litigation as a criminal expert for both the defense and prosecution. His work has brought him in contact with serial killers, persons facing the death penalty, and murderers found incompetent to stand trial due to severe brain injury.
Irina Komarovskaya, Ph.D. is the Clinic Director at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at the NYU Langone Medical Center and a clinical assistant professor in NYU Langone Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry. She joined and helped establish the Military Family Clinic in July 2012 and is dedicated to building a robust clinical program that delivers integrative, evidence-based, individualized treatment to veterans and their families.
Art Cody is the Legal Director of the Veterans Defense Program. His military career spanned thirty years and he is veteran of multiple combat deployments. He has represented numerous death row inmates to include a recent veteran clemency hearing, and frequently provides counsel to lawyers for veterans approaching execution.
Kate McMahon (Moderator) is the Secretary of the Capital Punishment Committee of The New York City Bar Association.
