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Posted on Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.

Doctor at University of Michigan Hospital remains suspended as police investigate assault allegation

By Lee Higgins

A doctor at University of Michigan Hospital has been removed from duty as university police investigate an allegation that he grabbed a patient’s arm during an argument earlier this week.

WDIV identified that patient as 19-year-old Lukequan Williams who is being treated at the hospital because he was paralyzed from the neck down after sustaining a gunshot wound.

Thumbnail image for University-hospital-UMHS.jpg

University of Michigan Hospital

University police spokeswoman Diane Brown said police received a call at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday from Williams' mother saying her son was threatened by a doctor. An investigation revealed the doctor allegedly grabbed Wiilliams' arm once "during a heated verbal exchange" earlier that afternoon, Brown said. The doctor is under investigation for simple assault, but no charges have been filed.

Brown said police had responded to the room earlier that day to deal with another incident. Security had called reporting that Williams allegedly threatened staff members with physical harm. Police also were called by security Feb. 9 to investigate an allegation that Williams threatened staff members with physical harm. The alleged threats did not prompt police to launch a criminal investigation.

Williams' family members could not be reached for comment Friday. They told WDIV that they became concerned when they spoke to him on the phone Wednesday and he said he didn't feel safe.

The doctor's clinical privileges have been suspended, meaning he cannot see patients at the hospital. In addition to the police investigation, the hospital has launched an internal investigation.

Kara Gavin, director of public relations for the University of Michigan Health System, said in a statement that the health system "takes very seriously its patients' safety, any allegation of a threat to that safety, and the safety of our staff."

She said the hospital is "cooperating fully" with the police investigation. University officials declined to release the doctor's name.

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.

Comments

15crown00

Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.

Uni M being very PC.

Cindy Clark

Wed, Mar 7, 2012 : 4:35 a.m.

There is much speculation in the comments, related to this issue. It is unfortunate that the doctor cannot give his side of the story. It is a real stretch to construe "grabbing" someone's arm as assault and we only have the patient's word as to whether or not that occurred. What we do know, is that the patient was issuing threats earlier in the day, to the extent that the staff was concerned enough to call the police. (And yes, the patient could threaten to have others, e.g. gang members, carry out his threats.) Many here seem to think that because this patient is incapacitated physically, that he has no responsibility to be civil to his caregivers. I'm sure that he is scared and possibly angry, but to take out his frustrations on the hospital staff will not serve him well. We expect doctors and all manner of other professional people: teachers, law enforcement, emergency personnel, caregivers, etc, to "walk on water" when it comes to dealing with the continued abuse of "those in need." These are issues that need to be addressed on many levels.

UlyssesWrong1

Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 1:21 p.m.

It's amazing that so many people put the blame on a paraplegic hospital patient. Seriously, what is he going to do, outside of verbal abuse? People have expanded their imagination so much in these comments that they think he's going to put a hit on his caretakers or something. Does any of that warrant medical professionals who are suppose to be taking care of him abusing him? This comments section is simply sad.

Ann English

Sun, Mar 4, 2012 : 3:19 a.m.

Someone commented that quadriplegics can move their upper extremities to some degree. One I know of wears arm braces and can't use her hands at all. I wonder if Mr. Williams also wears arm braces and tried to cut off circulation to one arm himself, intending to blame hospital personnel for whatever consequences result from a lack of blood circulation to that arm. I'm imagining the doctor readjusting the position of an arm that wasn't getting enough blood. If the patient did inadvertently shoot himself, he's most likely mad at himself. People who are mad at themselves react when someone else says something to them that focuses their attention on what they're trying not to think about, but which will not go away on its own.

Matt Cooper

Sun, Mar 4, 2012 : 2:17 a.m.

Just to clarify a couple things for the less informed: Why are you even asking how threatening a quadriplegic can be when they can't move? If the person can recruit someone to do his bidding, the actual ability to act upon a threat doesnt have to be committed by the person that is paralyzed.It could be an upset relative, or a friend. I have seen this happen before myself, so let's not act as if just become someone is paralyzed they can no longer function as free moral agents. Secondly, if you weren't there to witness the situation, your speculation means nothing as there are any number of possible explanations for the conduct of the family members, the patient, his mother and the doctor.

Bear

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 9:16 p.m.

looking at his facebook page, he has pictured what appears to be a .44 magnum. Possibility that he may have been accidentally shot with his own weapon. That's why you have gun safety classes, so dumb mistakes don't get you killed or maimed. take a look at his facebook page and make up your own minds. Seems he broke up with his girlfriend also. That can't be putting him in the greatest of moods. Lost his ability to move and lost his girlfriend. Lucky he didn't lose his life.

JPLewis

Sun, Mar 4, 2012 : 12:23 a.m.

The weapon pictured is a S&W .500, a much more powerful gun than even a .44 mag.

a2citizen

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.

Gun safety courses don't help if there is no common sense.

Bear

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.

I guess A2.com doesn't like criticism so much..... censor this, why don't you?

Bear

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.

looks like they got someone else.... lol! It seems my posts are getting through, it just takes awhile to review them for content. this is hilarious. Forgive me if I seem to over react. I'm quite sensitive to censorship or the appearance of censorship.

Bear

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.

hmmmm.... it says that every post i make is being "reviewed" for content. This censoring thing is getting out of hand. I'd rather filter through the trolls than have to worry about,"did I put that the wrong way". Hate censoring. It tends to lead to censoring one's own thoughts. Kind of like the fear people had in the old Soviet Union of saying anything critical too loud lest the KGB knock on their door and disappear them. Extreme example, yes, but wehre do you think such things begin? Newspeak, anyone?

Bear

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.

A2.com when are you going to start putting investigative reporters out there to interview people to get the 'real' story in order to flesh out your reports; instead of what you do, merely regurgitate the pablum that is handed to you? And as far as this impatient patient, who after threatening others, "didn't feel safe" with a doctor who wasn't willing to put up with his nonsense. I believe he is a little lacking in critical thinking skills to mess with the folks that are there to heal him. I can't imagine what the thug did to get shot, but it sounds to me like he maybe got what he deserved. Pitiful, but likely true. Threaten to have your boys put a cap in people? They have the name of the individual who is the patient, but no news regarding HOW he came to be paralyzed by a gunshot? It's all conjecture without any facts. Thanks A2.com.

newsboy

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.

The doctor should be on "Paid Administrative Leave" and not "Suspended." I know it sound a little less dramatic but there is a difference. To suspend an individual speaks to a higher level of guilt and the strength of early evidence. "Administrative Leave" allows both parties to sort through a process without condemning an individual on circumstantial or hearsay evidence. "Paid Administrative Leave" also allows an employer to take control of a situation without becoming liable.

jake

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 3:52 p.m.

Listen, there are a lot of people trying to comment who know more about this but are being censored by mods here. There is a lot of ignorance being spewed based on the comments I read. There are always 2 sides to every story. Abuse occurs from both doctors and patients, even quads who spit in your face. This happens as well as professionals physically overstepping their bounds. This is tragically unfortunate but if you work with patients in an institution like UM, there is a lot of stuff you never hear about that would rival this story. This is from someone who knows from the inside.

Matt Cooper

Sun, Mar 4, 2012 : 2:30 a.m.

Someone who knows from 'the inside'? The inside of what? I've worked there 11 years and have never once seen a doc 'overstep his bounds' and take physically assaultive action against a patient. Nor, in thos e11 years, have I ever once heard of anything like that. But I have also seen many times a patient and/or their family members physically attack staff members for a variety of reasons known only to them.

Ricardo Queso

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.

And let me guess, he has no insurance. A little civility would be in order being a guest of the state.

Shannlil2

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm...... not sure about this. Sounds like the patient was causing issues with everyone by threatening staff according to the story. Plus, he is paralyzed from the neck down...why would the doctor grab his arm anyways? It doesn't function (dead weight.) Some people are always looking for lawsuit regardless if it s the truth or not. It really shows what our society has become, when people have to take advantage of the system, just for a buck. This then trickles to us as taxpayers and we end up paying for them.

Lisa

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:48 p.m.

Wow the family seems like nice people as stated in a comment.Until you loose your abilities to walk, talk, jump.run you will never know any of you what it is like.19 years old wrong place wrong time which could of been any of us . This has happened to me I am 49 with 4 children minding my own business and bam hit with my little boy do you know what we have to deal with on a daily basis.First you are in denial, the lawyers hospitals come after you like what you did in 1979.You use to mufti task 20 things at once know your lucky to just get through each day. Your Independence has been taken. Your family left to care for you there lives for ever changed. Employable no. Mental , Physical, emotional vanquish as well as PTTS over take you so you have little sleep. Your angry and bitter. So judge ye and ye shall not be judged. With all the crime going on it can be anyone and we have to learn to speak again our thoughts are in our minds but do not come out and then your abused by doctors.Please rethink your family comments until it happens to you or someone in your family you will never know the devastation and burdens placed on your family, children and those whom love you.So have a plan in mind if it happens to you ! Try going to sleep it plays over and over. Lets see what really happened before all your so called unprofessional comments . Like I said EMG is a nerve conduction test.no hands or arms should of been shaken.Cover ups need to stop. Lives are being destroyed until they are voiced.19 and they should of had a counselor come down and speak with the young man he has a long road a head of him.

Matt Cooper

Sun, Mar 4, 2012 : 2:35 a.m.

And Lisa, not one of your points is justification for any patient or family member to be abusive to doctors or other staff. We didn't cause the injury. We didn't shoot your baby. We are there for one purpose and one purpose only: To take care of the sick and dying and to try to make them better. I am not saying the doctor didn't do something wrong because I wasn't there, but I also refuse to think he did simply because the patient and his mother claim he did.

jcj

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 4:52 p.m.

"19 years old wrong place wrong time which could of been any of us" We don't know the circumstances of how when or where he was shot. So given some circumstances it might not have been any of us. "they should of had a counselor come down and speak with the young man he has a long road a head of him." We don't know if they did or not. All I am saying is, it is wrong to assume the doctor was wrong just because he is a doctor!

thecompound

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 4:07 p.m.

"so judge ye and ye shall not be judged" "and then your abused by doctors" "lets see what really happened"

Momma G

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.

Okay, let's tell the whole story - why was he shot in the first place, why wasn't he removed/banned from the hospital after threatening staff? The doctor should be put back on staff. Let the mom take her son to another Dr. or hospital. And yes, this is why we have such high health care.

Matt Cooper

Sun, Mar 4, 2012 : 2:37 a.m.

Do you have any idea the major complications involved in moving or transferring a ventilated, paralyzed patient from one hospital to another? I'm thinking probably not.

observer

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 11:44 a.m.

It sounds like the Dr. had his hands full, so let's wait until we know more before we make a wrong conclusion, as so many have already done.....

Jenny

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 7:04 a.m.

This pt. and family sound like another outstanding citizen that and huff and puff until they get what they want. Health care workers are exposed to pts. and families that bully, demand, complain to anyone and when all else fails , report they were threatened. There is no protection for health care workers who are trying to care for pts. in difficult situations. Pts and families can be hostile, aggressive, combative and the health care worker is just suppose to be "tolerant " and understanding, . There are 2 sides to every story and why is the Dr. automatically suspended ? Why not reassign him/ her to another case and let the social work dept. deal with the family. Sit in an E.R. or an acute care setting and watch the craziness sometime, it's not always pretty L

Silly Sally

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:51 p.m.

Could the race card have been be played in this case? It is UM, after all...

Chelsea8226

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 3:37 a.m.

A threat is a threat. If a kid goes to school and threatens to shoot up the school or kill someone its taken seriously. It's called zero tolerance. Whether or not he's paralyzed from the neck down shouldn't matter. That doesn't mean he couldn't get someone else to follow through on the threat. All of these shootings in the news taking place in schools, universities, hospitals etc I'm sure started with a threat that wasn't taken seriously. They gave the person the benefit of doubt and people died or were injured. Just because this young man seems angry because of his life circumstances doesn't give him the right to threaten the people who care for him. I'm not saying the physician was right but maybe he/she felt threatened themselves by this young man. It wouldn't be the first time hospital staff felt threatened at work.

tom swift jr.

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 2:59 a.m.

"threatened staff members with physical harm." and "paralyzed from the neck down" seem mutually exclusive.

UlyssesWrong1

Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 1:25 p.m.

Bear, you reached conclusions after Googling the victim's name and now you're trying to characterize him as such a negative person. That's sad and simply an improper way to judge this situation. It's surprising that the moderators allow comments like this to go unfiltered.

Bear

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.

how about, "My boys will come down here and put a cap in you if I tell them to." That is a threat that any paraplegic can make and it's a serious one. Especially coming from a person being treated for a gunshot wound who apparently (look at his facebook page) acts like a thug. Your logic is flawed.

ElCamin0

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 2:23 a.m.

Oh if you people only knew...some of you have caught on to what really happened...and this is from someone that knows all parties

eagleman

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.

Ah, yes, a person makes a claim of inside knowledge in vague language.

a2citizen

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.

Can you give us an idea what really happened? eMail Lee Higgins and ask him to interview you as an anonymous source. As far as I am concerned the doctor is innocent until proven guilty.

K. Hillegas

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 1:49 a.m.

This young man has suffered a tragic life changing event. He is paralyzed from the neck down. He will have many months ahead to come to terms with this. I can imagine that he is angry and the only thing he can do is speak. He is also now totally dependent and probably very scared/angry. I would hope that some medical staff will recognize his emotional state and help him with the big adjustment that he will go through.

pest

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 5 a.m.

How did he get shot? what were the circumstances? before I have or show any pity of this person I want to know the details of how he came to be a "victim" of a gunshot wound.

genetracy

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 4:17 a.m.

You sound understanding. Why don't you go visit him?

JM

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 1:37 a.m.

Several thoughts... 1) "Paralysis" does not always equate with complete immobility. Quadraplegics often have residual use of their upper extremities. They may not be as strong, but often have sufficient strength to swing at someone. 2) Health care workers put up with a lot of crap. Because they are in a role of providing care and service, some patients feel they can be abusive. 3) I'm curious about the patient's history of a gunshot wound. What were the circumstances? 4) I have no doubt that the University is extremely hesitant given their recent (mis) handling of the child porn situation. 5) I would be pretty angry if I was 19 and paralyzed.

Matt Cooper

Sun, Mar 4, 2012 : 2:41 a.m.

What does it matter how or why he got shot? Does it suddenly lend his claims of being attacked by a doctor more credibility if he was an accidental victim? Does it make him suddenly more beliveable?

Carole

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : midnight

Don't know what happened, wasn't there. However, paralyzed from the neck down, patient threatening UM staff, on two occasions, more to the story than what is reported. I feel sorry for the staff who are trying to help this individual under difficult circumstances and hope that the patient can receive the help needed

justcurious

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 11:50 p.m.

There seems to be numerous comments on here blaming the victim in my opinion. NO ONE knows the circumstances (as usual). People are very quick to put this young man at fault, even to the point of suggesting that he threatened to have "someone else" carry out threats. Better comment moderation would help the situation.

jcj

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.

You seem to be exonerating the alleged victim. But no mention of the possibility of false accusations against the ALLEGED attacker!

pest

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 5:02 a.m.

"alleged" victim.

thecompound

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 1:57 a.m.

People are suggesting it as a possibility since so many are questioning HOW someone in his position could be threatening harm. And so many are asking HOW based on the information in the story.

genetracy

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.

I imagine the family has contacted Geoffrey Fieger.

JPLewis

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 9:56 p.m.

I don't see anywhere in the article that it says he was in the ER. Nor does it mention exactly when he was shot; recently or some time ago? Waiting for more facts to come out.

Robert

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.

"paralyzed from the neck down after sustaining a gunshot wound." I'm assuming than the threat is having some one else harm the medical staff. Having worked with Patients with Spinal cord injuries there's a huge psychiatric component that goes hand in hand with a new injury. I hope the allegations are untrue. As it certainly sounds like a challenging patient and family to work with.

UlyssesWrong1

Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.

It's a poor assumption because there's no information about the patient ever threatening violence through getting others to do it. The only way that assumption could be made is if you would ASSUME that since this guy is young, a victim of a shooting, and a minority that he must have some connection to people who would do something like this. Do you understand what an assumption is?

jcj

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 3:08 a.m.

I would point out that NOBODY has been charged!

justcurious

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 1:35 a.m.

I would say that it is alleged that he made threats. He was not arrested or charged. Assuming things is only blaming the victim.

ViSHa

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:38 a.m.

How is it a poor assumption if a threat was made yet the person making the threat is physically unable to carry it out themselves?

justcurious

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 11:42 p.m.

"I'm assuming than the threat is having some one else harm the medical staff. " I think that is a poor assumption.

Joe Kidd

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.

Looks like the hospital is walking on eggs these days in regard to calling the police. Imagine that. Seems odd to me that a Dr would grab an arm of a paralyzed person as an assault. Technically some touching can be an assault, but lacking intent to injure you usually do not get assault charges. And in a medical situation where emotions might be charged? And no matter what happened, valid or not, when someone reports an incident, the police investigate.

jake

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 8:48 p.m.

For the uninformed, a quadraplegic can assault a staff member by spitting in their face. It happens more than you know.

Bear

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.

Uhm, you can still headbutt and bite.

craigjjs

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.

A vicious spit? Does that refer to composition or velocity? Now if you meant viscous, that might make sense.

Sam Smith

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 3:03 a.m.

Spits up from an infant is not the same as vicious spit from an adult that may have God knows what...

julieswhimsies

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.

Still...not physical violence....My grandson spits up on me all the time.

jcj

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.

I have no idea what the circumstances were concerning threats made by the patient. But lets be clear. If a patient that is not able to carry out the threats personally, it is no less a threat IF the patient says I will have my guys get you!

jcj

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 3:05 a.m.

Did who say what? I said I do not know what the alleged threat was. But Some were questioning the seriousness of a threat made by a quadriplegic. I was pointing out that a person does not have to carry out the threat themselves for it to be a real threat. I do think we need to be careful not to dismiss offhand the allegations from either side.

justcurious

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 1:36 a.m.

Did he say that? Where do you get that information from?

ViSHa

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.

Thank you, I couldn't say it properly without getting my comment removed.

John of Saline

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.

Huh. Paralyzed guy made threats? I guess if his threats involved other people carrying them out, that would make some sense.

Julie lastly

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 11:54 p.m.

Read his face book site.

Ellen

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.

Forgive my insensitivity, but how could someone paralized from the neck down threaten physical violence?

a2citizen

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.

WIth his mouth.

heartbreakM

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.

There has to be more to the story than what is being reported. A guy who is paralyzed could not even move his arm so how exactly did the physician grab the arm? Did he/she bend over and grab it off the bed? What kind of physician? Surgeon? Resident? ER doc? This is just too weird of a story and UM Hospital is hypersensitive over its recent horrible mishandling of the child pornography case.

akronymn

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.

I'm confused how the patient was threatening the staff if he is paralyzed from the neck down.

Pilgrim

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 7:28 p.m.

More security staff are needed at University of Michigan Health System; I would imagine they could fork over a few dollars for that!!!

joe.blow

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.

how many more security staff do you think they need, where do you suppose they stand, in every room?

Annie

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 7:16 p.m.

Threats SHOULD be taken seriously. Like, for example, from someone like Chuck Norris. How seriously can one take threats of 'physical harm' from someone who is paralyzed from the neck down?

Bertha Venation

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.

There are two sides to every story.... Time will tell as this unfolds.

ViSHa

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.

and the truth somewhere in the middle ;)

GirlNextDoor

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.

Usually three sides; my dad always said: Your side, my side, and the truth! :/

aaparent

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 7:04 p.m.

@Lee - was the patient in a room, already admitted to a unit at the hospital or was he being treated in the E.R.?

trespass

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:48 a.m.

From what is on Mr. Williams Facebook page, it looks like he has been in the hospital for more than a month.

doctrsnoop

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 6:58 p.m.

I can't say how I really feel, but I will say that as a person, and as a physician myself who has worked the ERs at times I feel for the ER doc big time. I hope the facts exonerate the doc.

julieswhimsies

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 11:54 p.m.

Yes. Please DO explain.

justcurious

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 11:39 p.m.

Please explain.

5travellers

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.

It's difficult to know what actually happened from the little information that has been reported so far. Why is it not being reported WHY the patient was shot and the situation in which he came into the hospital? If the police had already been called TWICE previously because the patient had been violent, sounds like the possibility that the doctor may have been defending himself or other staff.

Ann English

Sun, Mar 4, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.

All I can think of are verbal threats, expectorating infected saliva, and biting. The patient appears to be able to breathe normally; some quadriplegics can't.

Sam Smith

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 2:59 a.m.

His family and friends aren't paralyzed...

ViSHa

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:42 a.m.

The story said security called the police twice. His mouth is not paralyzed.

julieswhimsies

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 11:53 p.m.

How does one become violent when one is paralyzed from the neck down? Just askin'.

jcj

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 6:41 p.m.

Did any body doubt there was a lot more to this story than what was 1st reported?

SMC

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 6:40 p.m.

How serious is a threat of physical harm, when it comes from someone who is paralyzed from the neck down?

a2roots

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 6:30 p.m.

Appears to be a very pleasant family but also seems like there is a bit more to this story. Impossible to imagine a2.com could leave so many holes to fill in a story. ugh

Jenny

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 7:05 a.m.

Very pleasant I'm sure

trespass

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:46 a.m.

There are so many holes because the UM officials, the campus police and the prosecutor's office will not release the information. Unless you want aa.com to wait to report the news until all trials have been completed, you will have to read what they can report when they can report it.

joe.blow

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.

aa.com isn't a newspaper, so it's easy to understand why there are soooo many holes.

Lovaduck

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.

If he's paralyzed from the neck down, what physical harm could he do? Did he allegedly threaten to have OTHERS do it? The plot indeed thickens.

eagleman

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 9:12 p.m.

Spitting constitutes a threat because saliva can contact communicable diseases.

Frustrated in A2

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.

The exact same thought crossed my mind. I can't say I'd be all that intimidated by a paralyzed person.

ViSHa

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 6:12 p.m.

Threatening staff with physical harm on two occasions........the plot thickens.

Joe Kidd

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.

While you folks argue the possibility of a physical assault by this fella, I would like to point out that no medical professional should have to put up with verbal assaults either. And that "grabbed the patient's arm," has very little shock effect on me in my rankings of scary assaultive behavior.

Jimmy McNulty

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.

@Silly Sally, really? I would really like to see the Rube Goldberg contraption that allows a quadriplegic to shoot a gun. Since the patient in the article is paralyzed from the neck down, I assume this is the type of gun-toting paralysis to which you are referring.

Carolyn

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.

The guy is paralyzed from the NECK down. No. He won't be shooting anything off besides his mouth.

Silly Sally

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.

A patient can threaten to have someone ELSE do harm to someone else. It is very likely that this is the case. Also, a paralyzed person can still shoot a gun.

Steve Hendel

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 11:33 a.m.

It DID say it was the patient doing the threatening.

ViSHa

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 9:12 p.m.

Probably not much. But it didn't say who was going to be doing the physical threat.

YpsiLivin

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.

Really, how much harm can a person paralyzed from the neck down inflict?

smokeblwr

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.

This is why doctors carry so much insurance and the rest of us pay so much for health care.

UtrespassM

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.

The insurance was paid by the university, not the physicians who work at university hospital. Why didn't the university pay the family to be quite this time?

A2comments

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.

Really? I thought that was malpractice insurance, not "assault insurance".