The last witness took the stand late Wednesday afternoon in Dana Chandler's trial for the 2002 Topeka murders of her former husband, Michael Sisco, and his fiancée, Karen Harkness.

Diane Bythell, a psychologist who met with Sisco and Chandler after their 1998 divorce, answered prosecutors' questions, then was being cross-examined by Chandler when the day's proceedings ended about 5 p.m.

Shawnee County District Judge Cheryl Rios, who is presiding, said Bythell would resume answering questions when proceedings resumed at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Pottawatomie County Justice Center at Westmoreland.

Closing arguments were expected to follow in the trial for Chandler, 65, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Sisco, 47, and Harkness, 53.

Wednesday was trial's 16th day of testimony

Chandler is serving as her own attorney for her third trial in the case, in which 12 jurors and four alternates heard the 16th day of testimony Wednesday.

The four alternates are to be picked from that group at random after closing arguments have been completed but before deliberations begin.

Chandler and Sisco were married from 1982 to 1998. They have two adult children, Hailey Seel and Dustin Sisco.

Case has seen series of twists and turns

Sisco and Harkness were found fatally shot July 7, 2002, in Harkness's duplex in southwest Topeka.

Chandler says she last drank alcohol in July 2011

After Chandler took the stand late last month as the first witness for the defense at her trial, Chief Deputy District Attorney Charles Kitt this week exercised his option of cross-examining her.

Kitt finished Wednesday morning, questioning Chandler about topics that included her recovery from a drinking problem.

That recovery began Sept. 7, 1999, Chandler said.

Chandler has consumed alcohol since then but has not become intoxicated, she said.

Chandler said she doesn't consider herself to be an alcoholic, adding that her last alcoholic beverage was a glass of wine she drank in July 2011.

Psychologist suggests Chandler has mental health problems

After Kitt finished questioning her late Wednesday morning, Chandler announced she was resting her defense.

Prosecutors subsequently called four more witnesses, including two law enforcement officers and psychologists Bythell and John Spiridigliozzi.

Spiridigliozzi talked about how he was appointed in 1998 to evaluate and share his opinion about which type of custody arrangement would best meet the needs of Sisco and Chandler's two children.

The court followed his recommendation to place them with Michael Sisco.

Spiridigliozzi said he concluded Chandler was afflicted with reoccurring major depression and histrionic personality disorder. The latter is a mental health condition characterized by symptoms that include rapid mood shifts and theatrical displays of emotionality.

Spiridigliozzi said he closed his last conversation with Chandler, which was over the phone, by saying, "You really need to get some help."

Chandler suggests psychologist didn't get 'the big picture'

Chandler said Spiridigliozzi in evaluating her failed to see "the big picture," noting that at the time she was attending college full-time and working 30 hours a week, had just been removed from her home and — after having been their primary caregiver — was only seeing her children a day and a half each week.

Spiridigliozzi also wasn't familiar with Chandler's emotional state at the time Sisco and Harkness died in July 2002, Chandler said.

Spiridigliozzi acknowledged that, saying, "I have no clue."

Contact Tim Hrenchiir at [email protected] or 785-213-5934.