Jury asked to ponder Paxil's role in slaying

A report from Vacaville, California

Jury deliberations are expected to begin today in the murder trial of Simon Faeed Ranteesi, a former Vacaville welder arrested in 2002 after his estranged wife, Milia, was bludgeoned to death during an argument outside Ranteesi's Topaz Circle home.

Following five days of testimony in the Vallejo branch of Solano County Superior Court, prosecution and defense attorneys on Tuesday called their last witnesses and prepared to deliver closing arguments this morning. After that, the case will be in the hands of the 9-man, 3-woman jury.

On Tuesday, Ranteesi's defense attorney, Deputy Public Defender Nancy Dillon, called a psychiatrist to the witness stand to answer questions about the prescription anti-depressant Paxil, a drug that Ranteesi reportedly was taking for roughly a month before his estranged wife was clubbed to death with an 8-pound welding jack.

Questioned by Dillon, Dr. Stewart Shipco said he specialized in panic disorders as well as adverse side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, including Paxil.

Shipco, who previously had studied police and mental health reports relating to Ranteesi, testified that Paxil is most commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and, in some cases, patients using Paxil can become agitated, more depressed, hostile and enter into a state of hypomania.

The latter condition, Shipco testified, is characterized by euphoria and increased energy, but also can lead to "highly irritable, very impulsive, self-destructive behavior."

"Suicide is a big problem, and addiction," Shipco said.

Further questioned by Dillon, Shipco said hostility, impulsivity and aggression were all potential side effects. "Suicide is aggression to one's self and aggression can be directed outward to other people," he said.

Ranteesi, he testified, could have been adversely affected by the anti-depressant.

"In my opinion, he was suffering from the side effects of Paxil ... a substance-induced mood disorder," Shipco said.

Cross-examined by Chief Deputy District Attorney George Williamson, Shipco said he had not previously interviewed anyone who had committed homicide while using Paxil.

'None of my patients killed anyone while they were on Paxil," Shipco stated.

Further questioned by Williamson, Shipco said there's always an element of doubt in a case like Ranteesi's.

"You can't make a statement with absolute certainty about the cause of his behavior," Shipco said.

At one point Williamson directed his questioning to a domestic violence incident that occurred with Ranteesi and his family several months before he began taking the drug.

At the mention of the incident, Ranteesi began shouting and jurors had to be taken briefly from the courtroom.

"That was a whole lie! That was a lie!" Ranteesi shouted while his attorney tried to quiet him. "That was a lie! She lied ... ."

Jurors were taken from the courtroom while Judge Allan P. Carter explained trial procedures to Ranteesi. They returned a few minutes later and testimony proceeded without further incident.

Closing arguments are expected to begin at 9 a.m. today in Carter's Vallejo courtroom.