Ohio prosecutors and an accused doctor’s criminal defense team are about to empanel a jury to decide whether the doctor is guilty of the crimes with which he is charged. He is accused of several felonies and misdemeanors, including rape and sexual imposition. Last year, the State Medical Board suspended his license to practice medicine due to the pending charges.
He was indicted and arrested last August. In September of last year, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He posted 10 percent of a $1 million bond. He wears a GPS-monitoring device and his movements are restricted.
The investigation that led to his arrest lasted 18 months and was prompted by complaints from patients. Ohio officials claim that some of the alleged victims were women 70 years or older. He supposedly used threats and force to sexually assault them. He is also accused of inappropriately touching several other patients.
Not all of his patients, however, feel that the doctor is capable of the actions of which he is accused. One of his patients commented that he has been her doctor for nearly 18 years and has never made any inappropriate advances toward her. She is just one of what his defense counsel says is a large number of people who support the doctor and do not believe he is capable of the behavior for which he is charged.
Reports indicate that a plea bargain is not being considered. Going to trial can be a risk, but it is the right of every person accused of a crime. Just because someone is accused of committing felonies such as those facing this doctor, it cannot be automatically presumed that he or she is guilty.
Source: ohio.com, “Jury selection to start in rape trial of suspended Hudson doctor”, Ed Meyer, Aug. 8, 2014