Friends and therapist take a stand in the trial against Cora Vides

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The trial of Cora Vides, who is charged with attempted murder for stabbing one of her classmates in Laguna Blanca on Valentine's Day three years ago, continued this week with the testimony of Amy Anderson, a childhood friend of Vides.

Shortly before the stabbing attack, text messages between Vides and Anderson included a photo of Vides smiling and holding up the switchblade knife she had recently received for her birthday, which she would later use in the attack on Georgia Avery. Vides “never said a bad word” to her about Avery, Anderson testified.

In the weeks leading up to the incident, Anderson said, Vides expressed growing anxiety, particularly over a group project that a teacher was “bullying” her about. Around the same time, Vides revealed her romantic feelings for Anderson, which were unrequited.

Another longtime friend of Vides, Katherine McDonough, testified that Vides was a very “stoic,” “quiet,” and “reserved” person, but that she knew Vides very well. The two had kissed in December 2020 when Vides visited McDonough in Washington, but they did not pursue a romantic relationship. During that trip, McDonough noticed changes in Vides' mental health that “caused concern.”

McDonough's testimony revealed a picture Vides had drawn and texted to her in the first days of 2021, two months before the attack. The drawing showed a fictional character crouched over the number “2020” and stabbing the year with a knife. McDonough responded to the photo by saying “I like the stabbing,” to which Vides replied “*stabstabstab.”

Weeks later, Vides experienced a panic attack during a FaceTime call with McDonough. McDonough testified she had never experienced a panic attack before and didn't know how to respond.

McDonough agreed with the prosecutor's statement that she was still friends with Vides, cared about her and did not want anything bad to happen to her.

Vides' older sister, Maya, also testified. Maya was starting her freshman year at UCSB when the family decided to move from Washington state to Santa Barbara.

Vides started at Santa Barbara High School that year and expressed her sadness and loneliness to Maya. She kept in “superficial” contact with Vides through Instagram, text messages and occasional in-person visits. After Vides transferred to Laguna Blanca, she was happier, Maya said, but still generally depressed and anxious. Maya suggested on several occasions that Vides seek professional help and tell her mother, who also struggles with mental illness.

Prosecutors pointed out that Maya had told a defense investigator earlier this year that in 2021, “everything seemed somewhat normal again.” Maya clarified on the witness stand that she meant “normal in everyday life, not normal in mental health.” She told the same investigator that the day before the incident, the sisters had spent time together at the beach near Maya's apartment and “everything seemed fine.”

“Cora didn’t seem unstable or chaotic,” she recalls.

Next, one of Vides' therapists, Karen Lehman, took the stand and spoke about her initial diagnosis of Vides' mental state. She first met Vides in March 2021, a few weeks after the incident.

Before meeting with Vides, Dr. Lehman spoke with Dr. Dewhirst, Vides' psychiatrist, on the phone. Dr. Dewhirst had already prescribed Zoloft, a common antidepressant, and Ativan, an on-demand anti-anxiety medication. In addition, Dr. Dewhirst had ruled out current psychosis and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), but diagnosed Vides with major depression.

Dr. Lehman diagnosed Vides with moderate depression, but also saw signs of “anxiety and stress.” She agreed with Dr. Dewhirst, who ruled out current psychosis and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Vides appeared “very open, committed and willing” during therapy, Dr. Lehman testified. She was well-groomed, focused, clear-headed and had well-organized thoughts.

The trial will last until July.