What?
A California appeals court has reversed the conviction of James Heaps, a former UCLA gynecologist, who was imprisoned for sexual abuse of patients. The court’s decision is based on concerns regarding juror communication issues, particularly with a juror who had limited English proficiency.
On Monday, a three-judge panel from California’s Second District Court ruled that Heaps, aged 69, deserves a new trial concerning charges linked to two of his patients. This judgment comes after the jury’s concerns about the language barrier faced by Juror No. 15, which had not been properly communicated during the original trial, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Attorney John Manley, representing over 200 former patients of Heaps, expressed that this ruling highlights significant flaws in California’s justice system, suggesting it permits individuals to endanger public safety while failing to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
“These courageous survivors went through four years of a difficult trial, resulting in this predator receiving an 11-year sentence. And now they have to start all over, which—frankly—it’s frustrating. Why is this happening?” Manley questioned.
The issues emerged during the jury’s deliberations post a lengthy trial, wherein the presiding judge noted a collective concern about Juror No. 15’s ability to participate fully. This juror, initially an alternate, was soon replaced, but the memo indicating the jury’s concerns did not reach Heaps’s attorney before sentencing.
Heaps was found guilty on three counts of sexual assault and other charges linked to two patients, although he was acquitted in cases involving two others. Some charges related to four additional patients were left unresolved.
In 2023, Heaps received an 11-year prison term along with a requirement to register as a sex offender upon his release. The appellate court noted the handling of the juror issue infringed upon Heaps’s right to counsel during a critical trial phase, thus integral to their decision to grant a new trial. Furthermore, UCLA has spent nearly $700 million settling claims from over 300 victims of Heaps’s abuse.
