Opinion ID: 65327
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dr Wolfson's Testimony

Text: Dr. Wolfson testified that Ruston was unwilling to accept a diagnosis of mental illness and refused treatment. Dr. Wolfson also testified to reviewing a report of a forensic evaluation completed by Dr. Maureen Burris, and stated that he disagreed with Dr. Burris's diagnosis that Ruston suffered from delusional disorder and instead diagnosed Ruston with paranoid schizophrenia. Dr. Wolfson also testified that it was possible that Ruston was bipolar or suffered from a personality disorder. Dr. Wolfson explained that regardless of whether Ruston suffered from paranoid schizophrenia or delusional disorder, both could be treated with medication, which Ruston was currently refusing. The Government then asked Dr. Wolfson to testify regarding his review of letters and filings Ruston made over the few weeks and months preceding the § 4243(c) hearing. Dr. Wolfson testified that the recent filings were getting a little stranger than what Ruston had been filing before and that they were consistent with a diagnosis of Ruston suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. For example, the material included a filing where Ruston alleged that Katie Couric tampered with Dr. Wolfson. Dr. Wolfson stated that while previous filings were irrational, one could follow Ruston's reasoning. Dr. Wolfson found the more recent filings to appear to be an expansion of [Ruston's] delusional system. Finally, Dr. Wolfson testified that he believed that without treatment Ruston posed a risk of dangers to others, and that Dr. Wolfson was less concerned about the risk to others' property. During the course of Dr. Wolfson's testimony, Ruston objected repeatedly to properly given testimony on the grounds that (1) Dr. Wolfson was not a qualified expert under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure (Rule) 702 (at least eight objections), (2) a previously filed motion to suppress should have be granted (at least six objections), (3) District Court Judge Fish should be disqualified (at least six objections), (4) he was denied his rights to confront witnesses, (5) the United States Attorney suppressed evidence from expert witnesses who would testify that Ruston did not suffer from mental illness, and (6) he had the right to speak his mind under the First Amendment. Ruston then began his cross-examination of Dr. Wolfson. Ruston's questioning did not relate to whether he would pose a substantial risk of harm to others or property. Instead, Ruston asked Dr. Wolfson if:  Dr. Wolfson's testimony was tampered with by the Washington, D.C. Capital Police;  complaints Ruston filed with the Attorney General in Washington, D.C. were sent to Dr. Wolfson;  Dr. Wolfson failed to respond in writing to cop-outs Ruston sent to Dr. Wolfson;  Dr. Wolfson was aware of an alleged case between Ruston and Plano Independent School District;  Dr. Wilson was familiar with an individual, undergoing care at the facility Dr. Wolfson worked, who murdered another patient;  Dr. Wolfson was aware if the duties of a United States Magistrate Judge include conspiracy to commit murder;  Dr. Wolfson was aware that Ruston accused Judge Ramirez of being involved in an attempt to murder him, and accused her of that in the message he left;  Dr. Wolfson reviewed handwritten notes sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as part of an investigation about an attempted murder plot against Ruston, as well as handwritten notes of a United States Marshal and member of the United States Secret Service;  Dr. Wolfson had contact with a Secret Service agent;  Dr. Wolfson reviewed records connected to an individual allegedly discharged from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for embezzlement, explaining that: Jeffrey Don Elmore was discharged from the Central Intelligence Agency for embezzlement, and I have the right to United States 4247(d), and I have been denied that right. I have the right to confront James Ellis, who conspired to arrest me. I believe under the Sixth Amendment I have the right to confront him, and I have subpoenaed him, and he's not in the courtroom as far as I can see;  Dr. Wolfson was testifying that the Government suppressed medical records from Dr. Wolfson (Dr. Wolfson explained that he was not stating that);  Dr. Wolfson reviewed a FBI report that referenced a black, former marine, hit man who was hired to murder Ruston, and any 911 records from the Carrollton Police Department on or about May 18, 2004, responding to a stalking and murder threat by the alleged hit man; and  Dr. Wolfson investigated Mr. Ruston's family lineage or looked at any of his family charts to determine whether he is descended from Scottish royalty. None of these questions involved the potential risk of danger Ruston posed to individuals or property if released. Ruston did ask at least two questions that were relevant. First, Ruston asked Dr. Wolfson if he was aware of an improper 2001 hospitalization that resulted in Ruston's release after a doctor in Plano diagnosed Ruston with no mental illness and without providing treatment or medication. Second, Ruston questioned Dr. Wolfson about his testimony at the earlier competency hearing, and asked how Ruston could have been miraculously restored to competence without medication or treatment. Dr. Wolfson stated that those spontaneous remissions are rare, but they occur, based upon my fairly lengthy interview at Seagoville the day before [the competency hearing you] appeared more rational. And you were not free of persecutorial delusions, but you were able to strategize and rationalize about your case ... and you appeared to be able to do that.... [A]s I explained at length during that prior hearing, and I voiced a concern that since I hadn't done anything to make it happenthat it hadn't happened through treatment but spontaneously the Court would be advised to prosecute your case quickly because I could give them no assurance that level of remission or at least of rational strategizing might continue. During the course of the cross-examination, Dr. Wolfson also testified regarding letters Ruston sent to Katie Couric, but stated that he was more concerned with letters written under a Secret Service letterhead or some law enforcement agency, a fictitious letterhead. In response, Ruston asked whether Dr. Wolfson had ever been in contact with Katie Couric or NBC Television Networks. Dr. Wolfson answered in the negative. Ruston also asked whether Ruston ever claimed to know Katie Couric. Dr. Wolfson testified that Ruston never told Dr. Wolfson that Ruston knew her, and that Ruston indicated that his writings to Katie Couric were comedy. Ruston then asked Dr. Wolfson if he was aware that Ruston was a comedy writer and appeared on local stations as a comedy character and professional actor, specifically on CBS television. Dr. Wolfson testified that he had heard Ruston state this before, but had no independent verification of Ruston's claims. Ruston concluded his questioning of Dr. Wolfson.