Hi Adam
If you look back and study Collin's book he does refer to Sheila to have having had problems with movements, but on the day he takes her to her parents home he never mentions that Sheila has a problem. He states she was quiet. The witnesses that saw Sheila that week never mention any strange movements either.
The fact that she could roll cigarettes might suggest that she had no problems at all, for one could not roll a cigarette at all.
It was also said that Sheila helped with a buffet prior to the murders. If she had problems, then how could she co-ordinate to roll cigarettes and makes help with a buffet. All the said statements or hearsay that Sheila could not co-ordinate properly were not recalled during the few weeks before the murders. In fact those that did state that Sheila had problems with co-ordination do state the dates on which this occurred.
It has also been said that when Shelia did have problems she was given a drug to counteract it. Although on saying that it is not clear if she actually took that medication, nor is it clear that such a drug was in her system in a toxicology report in 1985/6
Hi Patti, I agree the argument that Sheila was physically impaired at the time of the murders is not clear. Her medical history shows that she was taking Stelazine after diagnosis which must have been replaced by Haloperidol at some point, probably because Stelazine has severe physical effects such as lack of coordination, dyskinesia etc. Although all anti psychotic can cause physical symptoms its likely that the change in Sheila's meds had improved her physical condition and dealt with her lack of coordination, muscle spasms etc.
The most common side effects of Haloperidol seem to suggest she may have been suffering from over sedation, exhaustion etc. We do know June was worried about Sheila's condition when she spoke to Pamela hours before they all died therefore it appears there was something noticeably wrong with Sheila at that time, however no mention of physical difficulties at that time.
It is well documented that Sheila was very conscious of her appearance and the physical side effects such as grimacing etc. of dyskinesia would have been very distressing for her. I'm sure she would have taken any drugs prescribed to counteract such symptoms but there is no evidence she was taking such drugs
Tardive dyskinesia means slow onset dyskinesia.