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Dr. Dale Orstall was Jim Suerd's Child
psychologist.
The interview with him was a glimpse into the tragic life of Jim. The tragedy is on several levels. His childhood was unhappy and troubled, and more importantly, the people with which he was surrounded were not condusive to a healthy mental attitude. With that in mind, Dr. Orstall does not feel that Jim was criminally insane. At most, he feels that Jim is a slightly maladjusted individual, like so many people in today's society. Dr. Orstall campaigned for Jim during the case, believing him to be an innocent man. Unfortunately, Orstall's unorthodox approaches to psychology have caused him to be viewed as somewhat of a misfit himself. In 1992, Dr. Orstall forsook child psychology to deal with the mental well being of animals, namely dogs. This also has made it difficult for Dr. Orstall's voice to be heard by the masses. In his interview, he raises some interesting issues about the case. Some of the people that Jim used to associate with were not what Orstall would call "good influences". He believes that perhaps they "the magician friends" could have had something to do with the murders. He also raises the question of physical strength. How could Jim Suerd do this kind of damage without sustaining any cuts, bruises? Dr. Orstall lends a philosophical voice and a voice that asks questions to the sometimes "facts only" voices of The Last Broadcast. |