What is psi in court?

Psi, also known as parapsychological phenomena, has been a topic of interest in the court system. Psi refers to the alleged ability to access or influence information or events through means beyond the five senses, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, or psychokinesis.

While many believe in the existence of psi phenomena, the scientific community remains divided and skeptical due to the lack of conclusive evidence. Nonetheless, a few court cases have involved the consideration of psi evidence. Here are a few notable instances:

1. The Puharich vs. Stratton Trial (1950s): In this case, Dr. Andrija Puharich sued his former colleague for alleged use of telepathic powers to steal his ideas. However, the court rejected psi as evidence, stating that it lacked scientific acceptance.

2. The Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Remote Viewing Program (1970s-1990s): SRI conducted a series of experiments involving remote viewing, a form of clairvoyance, where individuals claimed to gather information about distant targets using only their minds. The program received funding from the US government, especially the military, and its results were sometimes used in court as intelligence in missing person cases or criminal investigations. However, the accuracy of remote viewing and its usefulness in legal settings remained highly debated.

3. Shirley vs. Smith (1978): In this case, a jury awarded Shirley compensation for psychological harm caused by Smith's alleged telepathic harassment. Despite the court's acceptance of psi as a factor, it was unable to confirm the existence of telepathy.

Overall, while psi has made sporadic appearances in the court system, its acceptance as evidence remains limited due to the scientific community's skepticism and the lack of standardized and reliable protocols to assess psi phenomena. Courts commonly require scientific validity and reliability, which psi often fails to meet.