Health Nazis a bit more literal than usual

Doctor Spared Jail Despite Road Death
The Herald, Wednesday 17.11.2010, page 9 News

A doctor who killed a morbidly obese woman on his way to a medical team bonding course has been fined his entire savings of £5000 and banned from driving for three years.

Dr. Benjamin Kendrick was fined by a sheriff, who ruled out community service because he was already serving the community through his work as a surgeon.

At Perth Sheriff Court, Sheriff Michael Fletcher also ruled out jailing Kendrick because his 29-stone victim could have survived the crash had she been of "average fitness."

Kendrick, of Chesham, admitted driving carelessly and killing Joan Johnston, of Scarborough, and injuring her husband and three of his colleagues as they drove on the A93 road on May 6 last year.

The orthopaedic surgeon - described as an "exceptional" talent - lost control of his rented people carrier and smashed into a vehicle, causing the death of Mrs. Johnston.

Sheriff Fletcher said "Your contribution to society in your everyday work is extensive. At the time of the accident you employed your medical skills to help the injured."

"If the person had been of average fitness they might have survived the injuries. A custodial sentence is not appropriate. The appropriate penalty is a sunstantial monetary penalty."

Link thanks to Big Fat Blog.

Not quite the same as the old boss

Obama administration almost eliminates DNA waiver.

A DNA waiver is an agreement not to use DNA evidence as proof that one didn't commit a crime. The Bush administration made it feasible for prosecutors (federal level only) to demand DNA waivers as part of plea agreements.

While I would rather if the Obama administration forbade DNA agreements and used some strong language about the sort of people who would rather not admit mistakes even if it means keeping innocent people in prison, the current situation is that DNA waivers can only be sought in "exceptional circumstances".