State challenges Sideris’ diagnosis

SALEM – Dr. Malcolm Rogers, the commonwealth’s medical expert, wants to speak to all psychiatrists and psychologists who are treating suspended Peabody police officer George A. Sideris, accused of beating his elderly mother in 2004, but Sideris vehemently objected in Salem Superior Court Friday afternoon.Assistant District Attorney Karen H. Hopwood asked Judge David A. Lowy to allow a motion ordering Sideris’ treating psychiatrists and psychologists to speak to him as to his current treatments and diagnosis. But defense lawyer Steven J. Rappaport strongly objected to such a request, as did Sideris himself in open court, saying “I object.”Lowy scheduled a hearing on the matter for March 4.Sideris, 36, who lives in an apartment on Walnut Street in Peabody, was deemed last year to be incompetent to stand trial by Bridgewater State Hospital psychologist, Dr. Katherine Herzog. She feels Sideris is not competent to stand trial, but is not a danger to himself or anyone else and does not need to be confined to a mental institution.However, the commonwealth felt they wanted their own independent psychologist, Dr. Rogers, to evaluate him on the issue.Rogers has met with Sideris as part of his evaluation, but now says he needs to speak with his treating psychiatrist and psychologist in order to fully complete his own evaluation.After that, it will then be up to a judge to review the evaluations and determine his mental stability. If Sideris is found competent, a trial will be scheduled, but if not, the case will remain on hold until he is determined to be competent to stand trial.Sideris, who has maintained he is competent and eager to stand trial, is accused of beating his then 73-year-old mother, Melpomeni Sideris, into a coma on Thanksgiving Day of 2004, at their 9 Ellsworth Road home in Peabody.Sideris apparently confessed to the beatings at the urging of a priest and cousin, but now he is denying he ever confessed and maintains they are lying, and he is innocent of all charges.Mrs. Sideris, now 76, was in a coma for several weeks following the incident and eventually emerged, but never returned to their home. She currently is living in a Lynn nursing home and Sideris is allowed supervised visits with his mother.