Psychologist testifies on abuses Xandria Harris faced from Darius Sullivan

August 21, 2026 - 15:36

A day after Xandria Harris took the stand to describe the terror she lived under with her boyfriend, Darius Sullivan, a clinical psychologist testified that the pattern of behavior Harris described matches classic signs of coercive control and domestic abuse. The expert witness, Dr. Ellen Marsh, told the court that Harris's fear of Sullivan was not exaggerated but a logical response to repeated threats, isolation, and psychological manipulation.

Dr. Marsh reviewed text messages, police reports, and prior interviews with Harris before forming her opinion. She noted that Sullivan's alleged actions, including monitoring Harris's phone, limiting her contact with family, and making violent threats, fit a documented cycle of abuse. The psychologist also addressed why Harris stayed in the relationship for as long as she did, explaining that victims often remain due to fear of escalation, not because they lack willpower.

The testimony comes after Harris described a specific incident where Sullivan allegedly held a knife to her throat and said he would kill her if she left. Under cross examination, Dr. Marsh acknowledged she did not interview Sullivan personally, but she stood by her assessment based on the evidence she reviewed. The trial is expected to continue with further witness testimony later this week.