Behind the Bastards: Part Two – Dr. Death: The Texas Death Row Psychiatrist Who Killed So Many People
Release Date: July 31, 2025
Host: Robert Evans
Guest: Steven Monticelli
Produced by: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Introduction to Dr. James Grigson
The episode delves into the life and actions of Dr. James Grigson, infamously known as "Dr. Death," a psychiatrist whose flawed assessments significantly impacted Texas's death penalty system. Robert Evans sets the stage by highlighting the broader issue of anti-science sentiment infiltrating various professional fields, drawing parallels between Dr. Grigson's practices and historical pseudosciences like Lysenkoism.
Dr. Grigson's Controversial Practices
Dr. Grigson's notoriety stems from his aggressive use of psychiatric evaluations to predict future violent behavior in death row inmates. He employed a flawed 1-to-10 scale to rate sociopathy, often exceeding the scale with scores of 12, 13, or even 14, undermining the credibility of his assessments.
Notable Quote:
[02:55] Steven Monticelli: "Yeah, the sort of non expert expert. The person who is more than willing to set aside all of the good things about whatever field they nominally belong to in order to like push some sort of quackery or ideology."
Despite reprimands from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and legal boundaries set by the Supreme Court, Grigson persisted in his methods, asserting with unwavering confidence that certain inmates would inevitably commit murder again if not executed.
The Randall Dale Adams Case: A Turning Point
One of the most significant cases discussed is that of Randall Dale Adams, who was wrongfully convicted of murder largely based on Dr. Grigson's testimony. The case was riddled with prosecutorial misconduct, including perjured testimonies and suppressed evidence. Adams was sentenced to death in 1979 but was exonerated years later thanks to investigative journalism by Errol Morris.
Notable Quote:
[14:23] Steven Monticelli: "Come on."
The exoneration of Adams cast a severe shadow over Grigson's credibility, revealing the fallibility of his predictions. This case became a cornerstone for the Death Row Innocence Project, highlighting systemic flaws in the Texas criminal justice system.
Systemic Issues and Professional Downfall
Despite mounting evidence against his methods, Grigson continued to influence death penalty cases throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His reputation suffered only minimally until professional organizations took a stand. In 1995, he was expelled from the APA, and the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians followed suit in 1996.
Notable Quote:
[26:19] Robert Evans: "That's way worse than a third."
A study by the Texas Defender Service revealed that predictions of violent behavior by experts like Grigson were incorrect 95% of the time. This stark revelation further discredited his work and underscored the dangers of relying on pseudoscientific assessments in life-and-death legal decisions.
Impact on Other Cases and Colleagues
Grigson was not alone in his malpractice. Colleagues such as Dr. Eclay Griffith and Dr. Ralph Erdman also faced consequences for their unethical practices, including falsifying evidence and improper testimony. These actions led to wrongful executions and highlighted the pervasive corruption within the system.
Notable Quote:
[36:28] Steven Monticelli: "Lovely stuff. Lovely stuff."
The cumulative effect of these malpractices led to significant legal and societal repercussions, emphasizing the need for stringent oversight in forensic psychiatry.
Decline and Legacy
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Grigson's influence waned as defense attorneys developed strategies to mitigate his impact. However, the damage had been done, with numerous wrongful convictions and executions leaving a lasting scar on the Texas justice system.
Grigson continued to testify sporadically until his death in 2004 from lung cancer. Posthumously, his legacy serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of psychiatric expertise in legal settings.
Notable Quote:
[62:18] Steven Monticelli: "Don't need to worry about it, kittens. It's all good."
Conclusion: A Call for Reform
The episode concludes by underscoring the critical need for reform in how psychiatric evaluations are utilized in capital cases. The tragic outcomes of Dr. Grigson's career highlight the catastrophic consequences of unregulated expert testimony and the importance of ensuring scientific integrity within the legal system.
Closing Remark: Robert Evans poignantly remarks on the aftermath of Grigson's actions, noting that while some cases were revisited and corrected, many innocent lives were irrevocably lost, serving as a stark reminder of the vetting needed for expert witnesses in the justice system.
Additional Notes:
- Research and Sources: The episode references studies by the Texas Defender Service, articles from the Washington Times, and documentary works by Errol Morris.
- Impact on Death Penalty Movements: The Randall Dale Adams case significantly influenced movements advocating for the Innocence Project and reforms in death penalty adjudications.
Listen to the episode on iHeartRadio or Apple Podcasts to delve deeper into the dark history of Dr. Death and his detrimental impact on Texas's justice system.