"Last night, on NG, a lawyer said something to the effect that if GA was receiving treatment and under psychiatric care and if he could bring a letter from his doctor stating as much, it could get him out of having to give his deposition. So, evidently, being under psychiatric care does effect participation in some legal proceedings. I, too, wonder if this could get him out of having to take the stand at the murder trial."
If everyone in the US who is "under psychiatric care" - ie, being seen by a psychiatrist and being prescribed medication - was excused from testifying in court, there would be lots of empty court houses!
I could see if the man is so ill that he is currently hospitalized that his appearance might be postponed, but most folks who are "under psychiatric care" are not "insane" and are capable of testifying in court.
I saw the guy (lawyer) on either JVM or NG talking about this, felt that he is full of it. He was saying things like "Well maybe he (George) would be very sleey or maybe his speech would be slurred - from taking medication"
Speech slurred and nodding off would be a sign of OVERMEDICATION and no physician would allow a situation like that to continue for any length of time. (Yes, sometimes it takes dose adjustment to get it right for a certain patient, but usually they start with a low dose and then increase it, not the other way around.)
George had a suicide attempt (as per reports) and that is related to depression. Unless he was exhibiting psychotic features along with depression (which there was no hint of) he is most likely on an anti-depressant medication at this time. Plus - PERHAPS - an antianxiety medication. IF he was experiencing anxiety. Not everyone who is depressed experiences anxiety.