A murder trial opened my eyes about Huntington’s and face reading
Identifying emotions from facial expressions can become harder over time
My wife, Jill, who’s gene-positive for Huntington’s disease, has for months been riveted by the murder trial of Karen Read, a Massachusetts woman accused of killing her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, in 2022. Last month, a jury found Read not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges, ending one of the most watched trials in recent memory.
When the trial was going on, I’d come home from work and find Jill eager to update me on the witnesses who were called, the questions that were asked, and the person with the best Boston accent. At first, I’d absentmindedly listen, nodding along while I sorted the mail or sat down to eat dinner.
I thought it was just another true crime obsession, the kind that’s hard to escape these days. But as the trial wore on, I realized this trial was about more than courtroom drama for Jill. There was something much deeper at play.
Practicing for the future
One evening, instead of half-listening from the kitchen, I sat down beside her on the couch and joined her in watching the trial coverage. It was then that I noticed something new: Jill wasn’t just following the legal arguments or the evidence. She was studying the people — their faces, their body language, their subtle shifts in expression as lawyers argued, witnesses testified, and the judge ruled. She watched with such an intensity that I asked her about it.
“I’m practicing,” she said.
“Practicing what?” I asked.
Jill explained that ever since her Huntington’s disease diagnosis in 2018, she’s been acutely aware of how the illness can affect her ability to recognize other people’s emotions, one of many symptoms that illustrate how debilitating the illness is.
She shared that one of the cognitive changes in the various stages of Huntington’s is a loss of the ability to identify emotions from facial expressions — whether someone is sad, angry, or happy. It’s not about forgetting what emotions mean; it’s about the brain’s ability to process the complex information in a person’s face. As this skill deteriorates, social interactions can become more difficult and frustrating.
She explained that courtroom trials, like the Karen Read case, offer a rare opportunity for her. In real life, emotional reactions usually come with sound — voices, tone, words. But in a courtroom, especially when watching footage without sound, she gets to see people’s faces react in real time, without the usual verbal cues. She told me she’s trying to “practice” recognizing emotions by watching silent faces, guessing what they’re feeling, and then checking herself against the coverage or commentary later.
She admitted it’s not always easy. Sometimes she gets it wrong. But she’s determined to keep trying, because she knows how important this skill is for staying connected to the people she loves.
“I want to keep recognizing when you’re happy or sad, Carlos,” she said. “I don’t want to lose that.”
Watching her watch the trial, I realized how much effort she’s putting in every day to stay present and connected. It’s not just about the case; it’s about her, and us, and the life we’re trying to hold on to together.
I’m proud of her for facing this challenge head-on, and I’m grateful I decided to sit down and watch with her. Now I understand what she’s really seeing when she looks at those courtroom faces, and it’s not just the drama of a trial. It’s a way to keep practicing being human in a world that’s getting harder for her to read.
Note: Huntington’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Huntington’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Huntington’s disease.
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