What to Know
- Jurors listening to proof Monday in opposition to a former New York gynecologist accused of sexually abusing almost 150 sufferers can “cancel” and “condemn him,” however they need to acquit him of federal fees that he enticed girls to cross state traces to be abused as a result of he didn’t know the place they have been coming from, his lawyer mentioned in a gap assertion.
- Protection legal professional Deirdre Von Dornum instructed jurors because the Manhattan trial of Robert Hadden, 64, obtained underway that her consumer pleaded responsible to state fees seven years in the past, admitting that he had sexually abused sufferers. She mentioned he has not handled sufferers in the final decade.
- The indictment mentioned the abuse happened at medical places of work and Manhattan hospitals whereas Hadden labored as a doctor at Columbia College and at New York Presbyterian Hospital. The 2 establishments have agreed to pay greater than $165 million to 147 former sufferers abused by Hadden.
Jurors listening to proof Monday in opposition to a former New York gynecologist accused of sexually abusing almost 150 sufferers can “cancel” and “condemn him,” however they need to acquit him of federal fees that he enticed girls to cross state traces to be abused as a result of he didn’t know the place they have been coming from, his lawyer mentioned in a gap assertion.
Protection legal professional Deirdre Von Dornum instructed jurors because the Manhattan trial of Robert Hadden, 64, obtained underway that her consumer pleaded responsible to state fees seven years in the past, admitting that he had sexually abused sufferers. She mentioned he has not handled sufferers in the final decade.
“The allegations are awful and shocking,” she mentioned, warning jurors that she was not encouraging them to really feel sorry for Hadden and telling them that they need to pay attention fastidiously to the ladies who will testify about being abused and listen to what they are saying.
She mentioned the “question is not whether inappropriate activity or sexual abuse happened.”
As a substitute, she mentioned jurors ought to concentrate on the “specific, technical crime” he’s charged with: whether or not he knowingly induced, persuaded or coerced sufferers to cross state traces to be sexually abused. The 4 girls highlighted by trial proof had traveled from New Jersey, Las Vegas and from Rockland County, New York, simply north of the town, by New Jersey.
Von Dornum mentioned there can be no proof that he knew in advance which affected person he was scheduled to see on which days.
“Cancel, condemn him,” the lawyer urged, earlier than including: “Do not convict him for a crime he did not commit.”
Von Dornum addressed jurors after Assistant U.S. Lawyer Paul Monteleoni instructed them they’d hear how Hadden sexually abused the 4 girls.
The indictment mentioned the abuse happened at medical places of work and Manhattan hospitals whereas Hadden labored as a doctor at Columbia College and at New York Presbyterian Hospital. The 2 establishments have agreed to pay greater than $165 million to 147 former sufferers abused by Hadden.
Monteleoni additionally described the responsible plea in state courtroom by Hadden, saying he admitted throughout his plea that his abuse was not unintended and had no legitimate medical function.
The Englewood, New Jersey, resident was arrested on the federal fees in 2020 after prosecutors accused him of sexually abusing younger and unsuspecting sufferers for over twenty years. He has remained free on $1 million bail.
Prosecutors have described Hadden as a “predator in a white coat,” accusing him of singling out younger and unsuspecting victims, together with a younger lady he had delivered at start.
Monteleoni instructed jurors that a number of of Hadden’s victims will testify through the trial, together with nurses who mentioned they witnessed Hadden touching sufferers inappropriately.
The prosecutor mentioned the victims had undergone “experiences, in some cases, they couldn’t talk about for years; experiences that scarred them.”
He added: “These victims would give anything for this not to have happened.”
“Objection!” Von Dornum shouted.
“Overruled,” Choose Richard M. Berman responded.
Monteleoni urged a conviction of a physician he mentioned had assaulted “patient after patient, year after year.”