Opinion ID: 65327
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Testimony of Dr. George Trapp

Text: Ruston then called Dr. Trapp, a physician and psychiatrist. Dr. Trapp testified that he conducted a series of interviews of Ruston in August 2006 and prepared a forensic report for the court. Trapp testified that Ruston never appeared agitated during the examination, that Ruston never referred to Katie Couric as his fiancee, and that Dr. Trapp confirmed that Ruston was cast in an episode of Walker Texas Ranger to drive Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson who made a guest appearance. Ruston then asked whether Dr. Trapp thought Walker Texas Ranger would cast a crazy maniac to drive Senator Hutchinson on a national program. Dr. Trapp stated that he did not know. Dr. Trapp further testified that after his interviews with Ruston he concluded that Ruston was competent to stand trial. Dr. Trapp testified that he believed Ruston suffered from a diagnosable mental illness, but that it was in remission at the time sufficient to provide for competence for trial. Ruston then asked whether he told Dr. Trapp that Ruston requested political asylum in Scotland and expressed a desire to leave the country. Dr. Trapp stated that Ruston had in fact told him this. Ruston then stated [s]o is it your testimony that the defendant would not prevent any danger to this society since he has no intention of living in this society. Dr. Trapp agreed that if Ruston was living outside of the United States, he would not be a danger to those living in the United States. This concluded Dr. Trapp's testimony.