Hillcrest v. Velikovsky

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The Prosecution called Dr Andrew deTritus, a clinical psychologist with an impressive record of expert testimony on any (and sometimes conflicting) sides of a given issue. Dr deTritus testified to the uncontested reality of the placebo effect, pointing out that 'attitude' and 'outlook' — like any other epiphenomenon of the brain — were ultimately neurochemical in nature.Beliefliterally rewired the brain, and the existence of placebo effects showed that such changes could have a real impact on human health.

Velikovsky took the stand in his own defence, which was straightforward: all claims presented by his displays were factually accurate and supported by scientific evidence. The prosecution objected to this point on the grounds of relevance but was, after some discussion, overruled.

Far from disputing Velikovsky's claims during cross-examination, however, the Prosecution used them to bolster its own case. The defendant had deliberately set up shop in “one of our great country's most devout regions, with no thought to the welfare of the Lacey Hillcrests of the world”. By his own admission, Mr Velikovsky had chosen Florida “because of all the creation museums”, and had clearly been intent on rubbing people's noses in the alleged falsity of their beliefs. Furthermore, Mr Velikovsky was obviously well-versed in placebo effects, having built an erudite display on the subject. What did hethinkwould happen, the Prosecution thundered, when he forced his so-calledtruthdown the throat of someone whose motto — knitted into her favourite throw-cushion — wasIf ye have faith the size of a mustard seed, ye shall move mountains? In telling 'the truth' Velikovsky had knowingly and recklessly endangered the verylifeof another human being.

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