WAVERLY - A psychiatrist believes the man on trial this week for allegedly suffocating a 15-month-old child never intended to kill the little girl.

Dr. Thomas Gratzer evaluated defendant Joseph Boose Jr. of Waterloo on several occasions and testified Tuesday for the defense. Boose, 28, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Emily Garrison of Waverly in April 2001. Garrison was the daughter of Boose's former girlfriend.

Gratzer told jurors Boose's behavior before, during and after the incident is consistent with a borderline personality disorder. Boose's assertion to law enforcement officials that he had previously smothered the child on multiple occasions also suggests mental illness, the psychiatrist testified.

"Mr. Boose has a whole set of poor coping skills," Gratzer said.

People with borderline personality disorder often deal poorly with life events, Gratzer said. They can exhibit aggression and harm themselves because they feel overwhelmed, which happens easily.

The psychiatrist evaluated Boose four times between April 2004 and October 2007. He concluded Boose's disorder seems to stem from an abusive childhood and complications in learning. Gratzer also said Boose experienced anxiety, depression and drug-related problems about the time of Garrison's death.

Boose's family members sat through testimony Monday and Tuesday and hoped for a chance to share a moment with him. Elizabeth Freeman, Emily Garrison's mother, sat on the other side of the courtroom.

Authorities charged Boose in Garrison's death after he told law enforcement officials in 2003 that he suffocated the girl. Such a confession, Gratzer said, is consistent with unintended or unexpected death. The doctor, drawing on his experience in forensic psychiatry, reasoned someone who wanted to suffocate a person to death would commit the violent act just once.

"The repetitiveness is odd," Gratzer said.

Last week, the state produced witnessed who said Boose explained the repeat suffocations as way to relieve tension he felt toward his girlfriend, the child's mother.

Gratzer, however, said other statements by Boose send a different message.

"He repeatedly states he doesn't know why he did the killing," Gratzer said.

Gratzer reminded jurors Boose claims he woke Freeman as Garrison struggled for breath and then tried to save the child's life. Freeman corroborates the story.

James Metcalf, one of Boose's defense attorneys, played devil's advocate with his own witness. The attorney asked if Boose fabricated the part about repeatedly smothering the little girl to feign mental illness.

"Why wouldn't a guy who's half-smart make this up as an excuse?" Metcalf asked.

Gratzer doubts Boose or anyone outside the mental health profession would have sufficient knowledge to create such convincing symptoms.

"It makes the confession more incriminating, not less incriminating, from a lay-person's perspective," Gratzer said.

Bremer County Attorney Kasey Wadding said court documents mention Boose was also diagnosed several years ago with antisocial characteristics. Wadding suggested those might include tendencies to deceive and manipulate.

Gratzer downplayed those elements, adding because a person exhibits some tendencies doesn't mean they display all characteristics of an illness.

Gratzer said Boose knew smothering was wrong but that fact is not the same as intending to kill. On Monday, defense attorneys argued Boose suffers diminished capacity and was unable to act willfully.

The defense team is expected to rest their case on Thursday.

Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.