Castillo trial, day 9 update

As we enter the end of the second week of testimony in the Alvaro Castillo murder and school shooting trial, the defense has brought forward the most prolific witness of the trial thus far - a clinical social worker who has, for the better part of a day, been questioned on her assessment of Castillo after the shooting and the role his family background has played in his actions.

Again, this trial is not about whether Castillo murdered his father and opened fire on students at Orange High School on Aug. 30, 2006 (both sides agree on the details of that day). This case has become an argument over whether Castillo knew his actions were wrong, the legally defined point that separates "sanity" from "insanity." The argument dates back to his teenage years and in some cases long before.

Deborah Grey, the aforementioned social worker, was called to the stand late Wednesday morning, and as of the first break of the day Thursday, she's still up there (UPDATE - she stepped down at 11:20 a.m.). She has been asked to give her professional opinion, in great detail, formed after interviewing Castillo, his family and individuals related to the case, including the girl with whom Castillo showed admiration.

Yesterday afternoon, Attorney General Jim Woodall asked Grey whether portions of Castillo's journal - in which he writes he is sorry for his actions to come - could be considered remorse and a sign that he knew the legal, if not moral, implications of his actions. Grey responded that it did not prove Castillo knew whether he was wrong in committing the acts.

We're now at a point where Grey is reviewing medical diagnoses from Castillo's visits to mental health services in the summer of 2006, a period in which it has been shown two agencies debated where Castillo could best be treated. That summer, he had been prescribed an anti-depressant.

Earlier this week, the defense presented reflections on a calm, quiet and submissive Castillo, presenting a counterpoint to the young man who made meticulous preparations for the shootings at Orange, declaring them something he had to do to save the students there. This was a young man who, according to his journals, baked a pie for a former teacher the day of his attempted suicide and who the former teacher this week called "brilliant."

There are two very distinct versions of Alvaro Castillo being presented to the jury. This case would appear to rest on which version of him jurors believe is closest to reality.