Steroids blamed in Johnston case, By: Nicole Sequino

Saturday, April 22, Berkshire Eagle Staff

NORTHAMPTON — A forensic psychiatrist for the prosecution testified yesterday that Bryan R. Johnston, a Dalton native accused of shooting his former friend to death, was not suffering from a paranoid delusional disorder but was instead exhibiting symptoms of steroid use.

Dr. Michael Welner, a forensic consultant based in New York City, said he ruled out the possibility that Johnston was mentally ill because his delusions that the Mafia and others wanted to kill him arose after heavy drinking or cocaine use.

Welner claimed that Johnston displayed the behavior of irritability, irrational thought, agitation, aggressiveness and paranoia from the use of anabolic steroids.