Dale Matteson Trial Day 3: Determining responsibility for mental state
MADISON -- The jury trial for 51-year-old Dale Matteson on charges of child abuse resulting in death continued in Madison Wednesday.
The prosecution is holding Matteson responsible for the suicide of his daughter, Zoe, after allegedly traumatizing her as a child.
The defense continues to argue that no one can be held responsible for another's suicide.
County Attorney Joe Smith wrapped up his arguments, bringing in health and psychology experts, as well as Zoe's own therapist, to emphasize that trauma can lead to suicide.
Smith also played a video from Zoe talking to a behavioral specialist in which she describes physical abuse from Dale, saying he grabbed and groped her dozens of times when she was a child.
Still, defense attorney Seth Morris argued that trauma does not always cause suicide. And, he continued, her death was her decision. Morris opened his side by showing a video of Zoe going to Walmart on her own to buy the pills. He then shared her suicide letters, noting they did not mention Dale.