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Prison Psychologist Shoots Ex-Prisoner Boyfriend, Loses Her License
The North Carolina Psychology Board has revoked the license of a prison therapist who had a sexual relationship with a former prisoner – and shot him – upon his release.
While Lamount K. Friend was at Neuse Correctional Institution, he participated in therapy sessions with prison psychologist Kristel K. Rider. A sexual relationship between the two began on the April 2009 night that Friend was re-leased from prison. The romance did not last long, however.
Less than three weeks after his release, on April 21, Rider shot Friend in the back during an argument; the .38 bullet barely missed his heart, and he was hospitalized for three weeks. Rider claimed in a 911 call that Friend had pulled a knife on her, though he denied doing so. Rider did not have a concealed weapons permit for her handgun at the time of the shooting.
Rider was fired from her prison job following the incident for violating legal and ethics rules that prohibit psycholo-gists from having romantic relationships with their clients. Rider’s professional license was revoked on December 8, 2009; she can reapply for her license in one year.
No criminal charges were filed against Rider related to the shooting, though Friend faced two misdemeanor charges for violating a court order to stay away from Rider. Those charges were later dropped, and the couple reportedly reconciled and reunited.
Asked whether he had learned anything from his relationship with Rider, Friend said, “Don’t make a woman mad, especially if she has a concealed firearm.”
Sources: Associated Press, News & Observer
While Lamount K. Friend was at Neuse Correctional Institution, he participated in therapy sessions with prison psychologist Kristel K. Rider. A sexual relationship between the two began on the April 2009 night that Friend was re-leased from prison. The romance did not last long, however.
Less than three weeks after his release, on April 21, Rider shot Friend in the back during an argument; the .38 bullet barely missed his heart, and he was hospitalized for three weeks. Rider claimed in a 911 call that Friend had pulled a knife on her, though he denied doing so. Rider did not have a concealed weapons permit for her handgun at the time of the shooting.
Rider was fired from her prison job following the incident for violating legal and ethics rules that prohibit psycholo-gists from having romantic relationships with their clients. Rider’s professional license was revoked on December 8, 2009; she can reapply for her license in one year.
No criminal charges were filed against Rider related to the shooting, though Friend faced two misdemeanor charges for violating a court order to stay away from Rider. Those charges were later dropped, and the couple reportedly reconciled and reunited.
Asked whether he had learned anything from his relationship with Rider, Friend said, “Don’t make a woman mad, especially if she has a concealed firearm.”
Sources: Associated Press, News & Observer
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