Expert, family say Longo suffered abuse.

Byline: Bill Bishop The Register-Guard

NEWPORT - Exposure to domestic violence as an infant probably stunted the development of Christian Michael Longo's personality, causing him to lack self-worth and to grow needy for others' approval, a psychologist for Longo's legal defense team testified Monday.

Portland psychologist Stephen Scherr said Longo became narcissistic - excessively self-centered and overconcerned with other people's opinions of him.

This aspect of his personality led him to deceive, manipulate and blame others for his shortcomings, Scherr said. Ultimately, it contributed to his decision to murder his family, he said.

"It's not an excuse for what happened," Scherr said. "It's an explanation for what might be a mitigating factor."

One of the legal questions each juror must answer before deciding Longo's fate is whether any factor in his background merits a sentence less than death for the murders of his wife, MaryJane, 34; and children, Zachery, 4; Sadie, 3; and Madison, 2.

Scherr's analysis came on the third day in the penalty phase of Longo's trial, along with testimony by Longo's mother, father and brother about Longo's chronic lying and his exposure from birth to age 3 to physical violence by his mother's first husband.

His mother, Joy Longo, testified that Longo observed the frequent beatings she suffered. She recalled a time when her ex-husband gave Longo, age 2, a black eye because the toddler was making a mess while eating in a highchair.

Joy Longo said she had left the abusive spouse several times before then, but finally broke away in hopes her son would not remember the violence. She then married Joe Longo, who adopted her two sons when Christian was 5 and Dustin was 4.

Joe and Joy Longo both recounted the time Christian Longo got a "D" on a report card and insisted that it was a teacher's mistake. Later, their son phoned them and - using a fake accent - posed as the teacher to say the grade really was a "B."

"It was almost comical," Joe Longo testified.

When his parents confronted him, he denied making the call.

"He wouldn't admit it when we knew it was him," Joy Longo said. "We would punish twice if he lied. We tried very hard to get that out of his character. I thought we did, but it appears we didn't."

In testimony during 17 days of trial, witnesses have reported innumerable lies by Longo.

Scherr said lying is the hallmark of narcissism.

"They don't know how to feel good enough about themselves, even if others do," Scherr said. "He so desperately needed to look good in the eyes of some ... because he felt so small inside."

Scherr said Longo's lies got him disfellowshipped from his Jehovah's Witnesses church, convicted of theft and fraud, and on the run to an unfamiliar state. Scherr suggested that Longo reacted after MaryJane rejected him when she learned that he had once again constructed an elaborate deception to hide his failures from her.

Scherr said he drew his conclusion from 15 hours of interviews and psychological testing of Longo. However, he said tests cannot determine whether Longo will be violent toward others while locked in prison - another key legal question jurors must answer before deciding whether to condemn Longo or put him in prison for life without possible parole.

"It's hard to predict," Scherr testified. "Past behavior certainly is a good indicator. He is not as likely as a severe psychopath to be violent."

Prosecutor Steven Briggs attacked Scherr's position in cross examination, saying much of it is based on Longo's account of events. Briggs said Scherr revised his scoring of a key psychological test, cutting Longo's score to 25 from 27.

Scherr had testified that a score of 30 or above would indicate a highly dangerous psychopathic criminal personality. Responding to Briggs, Scherr said Longo does not take pleasure in hurting others, as do the most dangerous criminals.

It's uncertain whether Longo will exercise his legal right to ask the jury for mercy, but defense lawyers are helping him to prepare.

Any statement by Longo must be approved by the judge in advance to ensure that it conforms to legal limits.

The statement may come today after defense lawyers wrap up their case.