Psychologist reports that Susan Rohde was not suicidal

NEITHER an examination of her history nor the way she presented gave any indication of suicidal behaviour, Susan Rohde’s psychologist said in a report.

Susan’s psychological state came under scrutiny yesterday in the Western Cape High Court, where her husband, Jason Rohde, is standing trial for her alleged murder.

Jane Newcombe said in a psychologist’s report submitted to Judge Gayaat Salie-Hlophe that Susan “was more anxious than depressed and there was no evidence of impulsivity or acting out behaviour”.

“Her overwhelming distress was more a feature of anxiety rather than depression… Susan had several protective factors that would have prevented her from becoming suicidal.

“Her marriage was not the only thing that gave her life meaning and she did not have the belief that an affair inevitably led to divorce,” Newcombe said in her report.

The psychologist spoke to Susan during the conference at Spier Wine Estate where the deceased encountered the woman her husband was having an affair with.

“During the telephone call I experienced Susan as distressed, but neither depressed nor despairing,” she adds.

Further, she was contacted by Jason’s attorneys to write a report on Susan, but the Psychology Ethics Committee found she should not, unless subpoenaed as patient confidentiality still applied.

“Susan Rohde loved her husband and was committed to her marriage.

“At no point in the therapy did she describe him as a violent man.

“Any aggression was always verbal apart from times where he would pull her pony tail, which she hated.”