Judge approves possible forced use of 'truth serum' on Colorado massacre suspect

March 12, 2013 by legitgov

Judge approves possible forced use of 'truth serum' on Colorado massacre suspect --Prospect of use truth serum alarmed defense attorneys, who filed documents opposing the technique 12 Mar 2013 The defendant in the deadly Colorado theater shooting could be given "truth serum" under a court order issued Monday to help determine whether he is insane if he pleads not guilty by reason of insanity. Suspect James Holmes could be required to submit to a "narcoanalytic interview" as part of an evaluation to determine if he was legally insane at the time of the July 20 shootings, Arpahoe County District Judge William Sylvester said. A narcoanalylitic interview is a process in which patients are given drugs to lower their inhibition. Academic studies have shown that the technique has involved the use of sodium amytal and pentothal, sometimes called truth serum.