Internet reacts as criminal psychiatrist analyzes Brian Walshe's 'creepy' grin
QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS: Brian Walshe, suspect, and husband of the missing 39-year-old Ana Walshe who was last seen at her home on New Year’s Day, appeared in Quincy District Court on Wednesday morning, January 18. He pleaded not guilty to charges such as assault with intent to murder and unlawfully moving and handling a dead body. However, prior to this, on Monday, January 9, a day after he was arrested, Brian was seen smiling in front of cameras, as police escorted him in handcuffs to court. Dissecting the 'creepy' moment, a forensic psychiatrist said, "None of his behaviors following the alleged offense suggest he was delusional or untethered from reality in any fashion."
Dr Ian Lamoureux, who has conducted over 150 competency evaluations and frequently testifies as an expert witness, explained that there many explanations that are "benign." He said, "Examples include attempting to appear friendly and less 'criminal,' confidence that the evidence against him is weak or even a social compulsion where they have a habit of smiling at others. If the state claims that he is a sociopath, they will likely point to this behavior as evidence of a lack of empathy and remorse that is seen in sociopathy. It could also be used as evidence of a grandiose sense of self-worth, as they could argue that he was relishing the publicity his trial is generating," as per Fox News.
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Describing the details of the 21 alleged Google searches on his son's iPad before and after he allegedly killed his wife that included, "Ten ways to … dispose of a dead body if you really need to" and "can you be charged with murder without a body?" the expert said that these searches are "powerful" circumstantial evidence. "The defendant's searches, if guilty, suggest that he is poorly organized. This is due to their timing. If the searches are following the murder, they suggest that there was limited planning. He had not thought the crime through from start to finish. They also demonstrate that he clearly understands the wrongfulness of murder. These searches clearly demonstrate a deliberate and focused effort to evade criminal detection. Simply put, these searches are not something that your average law-abiding citizen does out of boredom or benign curiosity. Contextualize them with the timeline of events, and it appears even more sinister," added Dr Ian.
He further said, "None of his behaviors following the alleged offense suggest he was delusional or untethered from reality in any fashion. No evidence of a history of mental illness has been presented at this point. If he pleads insanity, which is an affirmative offense, he will have to provide an account of the crime, which would have to result in the discovery of the body or trace human remains to hold up to external validation."
Commenting on the case, Iris Eytan, a Massachusets criminal defense lawyer, and a high-profile attorney, explained, "I’m not saying that he’s innocent, and he’s not responsible, but I’m saying hold off on making any rash judgments. When they rush in, and they charge somebody with murder two weeks after the date of someone's disappearance, that's quick without having a body."
Many were quick to react to the report by Fox News. One wrote, "The expert article in the article said his smile might represent a 'of a grandiose sense of self-worth,' I wass disagreeing with that. I think it was simple an act look less guilt. But I think he's guilty and terrified. Not a grandiose sense of anything." While one of many wrote, "What a creep." Another said, "it's pretty creepy that's for sure." One more commented, "Every time they show Brian Walshe being walked out in handcuffs and you see him realize cameras are there and he f*****g smiles...UGHHHHH I wish they would stop using that footage he's just revolting." A user stated, "Yep, that's the smile of a nut case."
The expert article in the article said his smile might represent a "of a grandiose sense of self-worth,"
— Moderate Conservative (@Moderat_Conserv) January 21, 2023
I wass disagreeing with that. I think it was simple an act look less guilt. But I think he's guilty and terrified.
Not a grandiose sense of anything.
Every time they show Brian Walshe being walked out in handcuffs and you see him realize cameras are there and he fucking smiles...UGHHHHH I wish they would stop using that footage he's just revolting
— val (@trickycrayon) January 18, 2023
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