The point is, that this information has been available to professionals for 40 years. Now we come to the specific incident. As you can guess, I don't think Dr. Hoyer's estate was owed even one penny for his recklessness.

--------------------------------------------- http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050510/BREAKINGNEWS/50510002 May 10, 2005 $1.3M verdict goes against SW Fla. sheriff's office Unrestrained inmate killed psychiatrist during evaluation

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FORT MYERS, Fla. - A jury has issued a $1.3 million verdict against the Collier County Sheriff's Office in the jail death of a psychiatrist at the hands of an inmate.

Dr. David Hoyer was strangled four years ago during a mental competency evaluation in an unmonitored, soundproof room at the Naples jail. Inmate Rodrigus Patten is serving a life sentence for killing the psychiatrist.

The federal jury split blame equally Monday between the sheriff's office and the doctor on a $2.6 million award. Under state law, his widow will be able to recover only $200,000 unless she persuades the state Legislature to pay a higher amount under a special claims bill.

"Obviously this is not the verdict the sheriff wanted," said sheriff's Capt. Chris Freeman, who sat in court Monday as Sheriff Don Hunter's representative. "The sheriff believes in the jury system. It's what we have in this country, and that's what we have to go with."

Patten had two fights with inmates, complained of homicidal thoughts and hallucinations and exposed himself to jail staff members while jailed for three months on kidnapping, carjacking and robbery charges.

Hoyer had been appointed to assess his mental competency to stand trial.

Victoria Freeman, a mental health counselor in the jail, told jurors that she had warned Hoyer that Patten was dangerous.

Patten was not handcuffed or shackled in the interview room, and the schizophrenic inmate had been taken off his psychiatric medication. After strangling the doctor, Patten left the room and told jailers it looked like Hoyer had suffered a heart attack.

"I'm just glad this won't happen to anyone else again," said Rae Hoyer, the doctor's widow.

Submitted on 05/12/2005

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: AP, May 12, 2005

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

Daniel said:
Definitely Toss: No Self-Selection
If he didn't order the patient taken off the medication, I don't see this as being DA worthy.

Kelly said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Let's see, the man is a head doctor with access to the man's records. He should have known that the patient was high risk AND off his meds. He went into a sound proof room, alone, with this risk...I think he deserves at least an honorable mention

Jack said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Having known some arrogant "mental health professionals," I must agree with Kelly. The good Doctor should have read the patient's records and taken the appropriate precautions. I call this a case of arrogant stupidity and think that it's worth a DA.

Charles said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I'm going to agree with Kelly and Jack here. With Kelly's addendum, this becomes funny enough to be a contender...

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