Judge: (Sen)Stevens can get witness's medical records

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - A federal judge says Sen. Ted Stevens can probe the mental health of the government's star witness in the corruption trial against the Alaska icon.

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan says government witness Bill Allen must turn over his medical records dealing with his 2001 motorcycle accident.

Allen suffered brain damage in the accident, but the government says it affects only his speech, not his memory.

Stevens' lawyers want the records to determine if Allen's testimony against Stevens can be trusted.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080918/ap_on_go_co/stevens_investigation;_ylt=Aj6yY9nCoq6ktX3dEKwb95SyFz4D

[n2doc]

1. So...why can't we get McSame's med records?

I know, different cases/instances. But somebody with a clever legal mind should be able to use this...

[Sanity Claws]

2. This is way out there

Normally you can't get a witness's medical records. They are confidential. They are discoverable in a personal injury case because the person puts his medical condition at issue when he files suit. One does not put one's medical condition at issue by being a witness. This is a scare tactic -- who would be a witness if their medical records now become public record?