OKLAHOMA CITY -
An accused killer allegedly hallucinated as he testified against
his partner in crime on Tuesday.
Brandon Reed told the court he sees dead people,
including the murder victim.
In July, News 9 asked Reed if he was remorseful for
what happened. He replied that he was. Just moments after he said he
had had conversation with 80-year-old Clair Pollard, the man Reed is accused of
killing.
Reed also testified he has an alter ego named,
"Max". A judge immediately ordered a mental health evaluation.
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Murder
"People will try lots of different strategies to avoid prosecution
and this simply may be one of those," said criminologist
Dr. Howard Kurtz, referring to Reed's testimony.
Reed agreed to testify against his accomplice, Billy
Battenfield, or a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of
parole. During the preliminary hearing for Battenfield, a three time
convicted killer, Reed began to hallucinate.
Kurtz says it's a "question of credibility and
competence". But following a mental evaluation, the judge determined Reed
is mentally competent to stand trial for murder.
Although, the details of the evaluation are not public
record, Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said Reed is expected
to take the stand again to finish his testimony.
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Kurtz says it could hurt the state's case against
Battenfield, but it will not be impossible for prosecutors to present Reed as a
credible witness.
"Obviously the defense attorneys are going to try to
show that he may not be presenting the facts as he should and the prosecutors
will have to show he is competent even if not completely competent," Kurtz
said.
Mashburn says at this point, Reed's deal with the
state is still on the table because there is no evidence to suggest he lied on
the stand about what happened during the murder or his hallucinations.
Reed's attorney, Irvin Box, did not return News 9's
calls in time for this story to air.
Battenfield's preliminary hearing is set to continue
on September 5.
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Brandon Reed says he's had a conversation with 80-year-old Clair Pollard, the man he is accused of killing.
Brandon Reed and Billy Battenfield
