A psychiatrist has testified in the trial of Carly Gregg, a teenager charged with the murder of her mother, Ashley Smylie, and the injury of her stepfather. Dr. Andrew Clark shared details of Gregg’s mental health struggles leading up to the incident on March 19, when she was just 14 years old. He diagnosed her with a mental health crisis, potentially exacerbated by recent issues, including her use of marijuana, which she began about six weeks before the shooting.
During his testimony, Dr. Clark recounted a conversation Gregg had with her mother before the incident, where Smylie confronted her about smoking marijuana. He explained that Gregg remembers letting the dogs out, but then her memory became foggy until she found herself on the side of the road, where a deputy subsequently picked her up. Tony Shack, a K9 officer, testified that when he encountered Gregg after the shooting, she inquired about her stepfather’s well-being but did not ask about her mother’s condition.
Dr. Clark spoke about Gregg’s complicated relationship with her mother, noting that she deeply cared for her approval. He described how mood swings and the distress caused by auditory hallucinations contributed to a significant mental health crisis for Gregg on the day of the shooting. He also revealed that Gregg had a history of self-harm and had been undergoing treatment with medication, which appeared to have limited effectiveness.
As the trial progresses, the prosecution is set to call more witnesses, including their own expert psychiatrist. If convicted, Gregg faces a sentence ranging from 20 years to life in prison. The case has garnered considerable attention as it involves a minor charged as an adult in connection with violent crime. The trial is ongoing, with updates expected as further testimony is presented.