Psychologist: "Rockefeller" delusional

Boston, Mass. (WPRI) - A forensic psychologist claims the kidnapping suspect known as "Clark Rockefeller" is highly delusional and narcissistic.

Psychologist Catherine Howe was the first witness called by the defense Wednesday, in the trial of Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, who calls himself Clark Rockefeller.

Rockefeller is charged with abducting his 7-year-old daughter, Reigh, during a supervised visit in Boston's Back Bay last summer.

His lawyers claim he suffers from two personality disorders which render him incapable of knowing right from wrong.

Howe's testimony supported their claims.

"Basically as people believed him, believed any of his fanatical stories, it supported and increased the strength of his narcissistic personality disorder."

Howe says that the defendant seemed to truly believe his own lies.

"He got positive reinforcement for his beliefs, for his presentation, for his way of being, to the point that it was outside of the reality."

Prosecutors claim the defendant is a consummate liar and con artist.  They say the kidnapping was part of a calculated and elaborate scheme to run away with his daughter to South America. 

 Rockefeller and his daughter were captured in Baltimore six days after her disappearance.  The child was unharmed.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.