Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
A Connecticut paramedic is facing felony rape charges after a patient alleged she was sexually assaulted during a transport. Paramedic Mark Powell, 49, turned himself in to police yesterday.
The incident allegedly occurred at 3:00 am on Christmas morning. A 22 year old woman who had fallen and suffered a concussion claims she awoke in the ambulance during the assault. The victim was being transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital and allegedly was strapped down at the time.
Powell worked for American Medical Response, and has been place on administrative leave. He is free on$25,000 bond. According to police, no further arrests are anticipated.
The police and media seem to have already concluded that Powell is guilty. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that fact that other paramedics and EMTs accused of this type of misconduct were later cleared when the allegations turned out to be the result of total fabrications. The legal system will have to work out the details in this case and we should not prejudge what occurred without all the facts. Having said that – here is a news video that pretty much assumes he is guilty.
