SIOUX CITY -- Thomas Rausch Jr. was not capable of forming the
specific intent to kill Kasandra Smith, a psychologist testified
Friday morning.

"He acted without fully thinking, recognizing what he was doing.
His thinking and judgment was that impaired," said Dr. Alan
Goldstein, a clinical and forensic psychologist called as a defense
witness.

Rausch, 21, is charged in Woodbury County District Court with
attempted murder, willful injury and going armed with intent for
the Jan. 24, 2011, stabbing of Smith at the home they had shared on
the 1800 block of South Hennepin Street. Smith, 21, who was
pregnant, was stabbed seven times. Her unborn baby was not
harmed.

The defense has not denied that Rausch stabbed Smith. Public
defender Mike Williams argued throughout the three-day trial that
Rausch's mental condition at the time of the incident prevented him
from knowing what he was doing the morning of the stabbing.

Goldstein said he spent nearly 10 hours interviewing and testing
Rausch, interviewed his parents and Smith and reviewed Rausch's
school and health records to reach his conclusion. Goldstein said
Rausch's history of denial of traumatic events in his life
continued to build up inside him and culminated that morning with
the realization he was losing the most meaningful relationship in
his life.

"He detached his thoughts and feelings from his actions,"
Goldstein said.

Rausch told police investigators he didn't realize he had
stabbed Smith until he saw the bloody knife in his hands and
Smith's blood on the floor.

Goldstein said Rausch's lack of awareness was not uncommon for
people in denial, a method of coping with traumatic events in which
they brush off such matters rather than taking steps to correct
them. Pressure builds inside that person and eventually leads to
problems, in this case, a stabbing.

First Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Mark Campbell cited
several forensic psychology books -- some written or edited by
Goldstein -- that called into question the ability of psychologists
to determine specific intent. Some of the research suggested that
psychologists can't determine a defendant's mental state at the
time he or she committed a crime.

Another psychologist wrote that only by chance can experts
detect whether a defendant is lying about being unable to recall
committing a crime or actually can't remember it.

"I'd say they're not doing a thorough examination," Goldstein
said.

Campbell asked if it was indeed possible that Rausch had the
intent to kill Smith when taking into account that he carried a
knife into the house, hid it under the kitchen sink after he
stabbed her, sent a text message to Smith's friend to cover up his
actions and then hid the phone on top of a bathroom cabinet.

Goldstein said he didn't think Rausch was able to consciously
make those types of decisions on the morning of the stabbing. He
said Rausch only became aware of what he had done when he saw the
bloody knife in his hand.

"His behavior wasn't consciously goal-oriented," Goldstein
said.

Goldstein was the final witness called. Williams and Campbell
will submit written closing arguments during the next three weeks
to District Judge John Ackerman, who will render the verdict.
Rausch previously waived his right to a jury trial.