Meth use could have caused Henry to have psychotic episode, says UCLA psychologist

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — An episode of meth-induced psychosis could have led to the events in room 102 at the Wingate Hotel the night of January 24, 2019, that then led to the death of Elizabeth Bockholt.
Friday was day 3 of the murder trial for 30-year-old Jordan Henry, the Sioux City man charged in the strangulation death of 40-year-old Bockholt, whose body was discovered under a pile of bedding burning in room 102 of the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel in Sioux City. Henry is charged with first-degree murder and arson.
Over two days this week, the state called 27 witnesses to the stand, beginning with Henry’s aunt, Sheri Jones. Jones testified Tuesday that she had purchased the hotel room for Henry on January 23rd after he had come to her asking for a place to sleep. Jones said on the stand that she and her husband were not comfortable having Henry stay in their home because of his paranoia.
READ MORE: Trial begins for Jordan Henry, Sioux City man accused of murder and arson
Henry’s public defender, Billy Oyadare, recalled Jones to the stand Friday as the defense’s first witness, asking about a phone conversation she had with Henry the day Bockholt died. Jones stated that Henry did not have a cell phone, but he did ask if she had a charger. Jones said did not know why he wanted one. Wednesday, we learned fire investigators had found a cell phone and cell phone battery within the burned bedding, where they also had discovered Bockholt.
Continuing microphone and feedback issues caused a bit of a headache in the courtroom for the defense’s second witness of the afternoon, forcing the trial to move across the Woodbury County Courthouse to a different courtroom to hear the testimony from a clinical psychologist. Dr. Suzette Glasner, appearing first via video conference and then by phone, is a clinical psychologist at UCLA who specializes in treating addictive behaviors and substance abuse.
Early in her testimony, Oyandare moved to enter a report on Henry written by Dr. Glasner into evidence with objections by the state, claiming that the psychological defenses within her report are not recognized by Iowa law. Judge Andreasen reserved the ruling on the objection saying that the court will not make any opinions on the report at this time, allowing her testimony to continue. Dr. Glasner had reviewed all medical records for Henry that had been provided by area medical professionals and determined that Henry suffers from Methamphetamine Psychosis and that he could have been suffering from this at the time of his arrest, shortly after Bockholt’s murder.
READ MORE: Fire investigators, Iowa pathologist testify in Day 2 of Jordan Henry's murder trial
Methamphetamine psychosis, according to the National Drug and Alcohol Research Center, is a serious potential side-effect of heavy meth use that includes symptoms of hallucinations, being overly suspicious of people, feelings that others are “out to get them” and paranoia. Jones, Henry’s aunt, had testified for the state that she thought he was paranoid and that Henry believed people were always watching him. Henry is also a known meth user and meth was found in his system following his arrest.
Dr. Glasner, after reviewing Henry’s medical records, said he has had a long history of drug use, beginning at age 15 and also has had a documented history of mental health issues, which Glasner says makes it harder for people to overcome substance abuse. Dr. Glasner also believes Henry suffers from Antisocial Personality Disorder or sociopathy, which is defined by the Mayo Clinic as "a mental disorder in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others."
Henry has also been hospitalized multiple times for meth use and meth-induced psychosis.
At the time of Bockholt’s death on January 24, 2019, Dr. Glasner says it is reasonable to assume that Henry experienced a meth-induced psychosis, saying "his recent use of methamphetamine may have impacted his behavior" though says it is difficult to link psychosis with the events of that night without witnesses being present. "People who use methamphetamine heavily," Glasner said, "that increases the chance of violence." Dr. Glasner has not personally treated Henry.
Dr. Glasner was the defense's last witness with both sides resting following her testimony. First Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Mark Campbell has until August 7th to file his written closing argument, Oyadare has until August 21st to file his, with Campbell then having until August 28th to file his rebuttal. Once all parties have their respective filings into court, Judge Andreasen will take all information presented to reach a verdict. Henry faces a mandatory life sentence for the first-degree murder charge and a 25-year sentence for arson.