Abstract
A Vietnam veteran was scheduled to stand trial with three other defendants on a federal charge of extortion. Subsequent to his arraignment, he entered weekly treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As the trial date approached, his symptoms exacerbated to the point that it was necessary to commit him for 20 days of inpatient care. During this time, treatment for PTSD continued on a daily basis. On discharge, he was able to participate in his own defense and no longer manifested the symptoms that had precluded his standing trial. Some of the effects of PTSD on a defendant's behavior in the adversarial atmosphere of the court are discussed.
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