Zoloft Defense Trial
South Carolina vs Pittman

Baum Hedlund attorney, Karen Barth Menzies, is a member of the defense team defending 15 year-old Christopher Pittman on charges that he murdered his grandparents in 2001. Christopher was under the influence of Zoloft at the time he shot and killed his grandparents. He was only 12 years old at the time.

Christopher was tried as an adult beginning on January 31. The trial ended on February 15, 2005. He was found guilty and given the minimum sentence allowed by South Carolina law -- 30 years.

Several post-trial motions were filed, including a motion for new trial based on juror misconduct and the “13th Juror Doctrine” and a motion to reduce the sentence so that Christopher is released when he turns 21. These were denied. New motions are being filed, appealing the verdict to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

Christopher clearly suffered serious adverse reactions to Zoloft, including akathisia (a neurological reaction characterized by extreme internal restlessness, which has been associated with suicide and violence), emotional blunting, mania and psychosis. Expert witnesses on both sides agreed that Zoloft and similar antidepressants can cause these side effects. The jury also believed that Zoloft adversely affected Christopher’s behavior, but, as explained by one juror, “just because you take prescription medication doesn’t mean you can’t be held accountable for your actions.” The defense believes this is an example of the jury’s incorrect application of the law, particularly given the legal presumption that a twelve year old lacks the capacity to form the criminal intent necessary to be tried as an adult.

When you couple the mentality of a child with a mind altering, psychotropic drug such as Zoloft, which can cause side effects associated with violence, holding Christopher Pittman accountable as an adult is a travesty of justice. The defense team is continuing to fight for Chris by appealing the verdict.

There has been an enormous public outcry concerning the verdict. The Governor of South Carolina has been overwhelmed with requests for a pardon for Christopher. (See AP article.)

Our firm, as well as our co-counsel’s firms, have been deluged with offers to help. The outpouring of support for Christopher and our efforts to defend him has been overwhelming!

In response to countless offers to help Christopher, the "Support Christopher" link provides information on various ways to support him.

Thank you very much for your kind thoughts and prayers in support of Christopher, his family and the defense team. It, as you might well imagine, is an extremely difficult time. We are truly overwhelmed by and appreciative of the support Chris and his family are receiving.