Charges Dismissed
Hospital Patient Assaulted While Trying to Leave the Hospital
A patient who voluntarily went to the hospital as a result of a car accident was tackled and punched by two
security officers while trying to leave the hospital. The patient had tried to leave against the wishes of the
hospital and his family. As a result, he was pursued and eventually tackled by the officers. One officer was
injured as a result of the altercation and the patient was charged with assault and battery. On the day of
trial, we requested that the officers be appointed counsel due to their fifth amendment rights not to
incriminate themselves in the pending trial.
After consultation with their attorneys, the officers decided against testifying and the Commonwealth was forced
to dismiss the charges against the patient.
