REPORTED
BY
NORMAN J CLEMENT RPH., DDS, NORMAN L.CLEMENT PHARM-TECH, MALACHI F. MACKANDAL PHARMD, BELINDA BROWN-PARKER, IN THE SPIRIT OF JOSEPH SOLVO ESQ., IN THE SPIRIT OF REV. C.T. VIVIAN, WALTER R. CLEMENT BS, MS., MBAJELANI ZIMBABWE CLEMENT, BS., MBA., IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HON. PATRICE LUMUMBA, IN THE SPIRIT OF ERLIN CLEMENT SR., IN THE SPIRIT OF LOUIE LADSON RPH., MBA., WALTER F. WRENN III., MD., JULIE KILLINGWORTH, IN THE SPIRIT OF LOUIS LADSON MBA, RPH, WILLIE GUINYARD BS., JOSEPH WEBSTER MD., MBA, BEVERLY C. PRINCE MD., FACS., RICHARD KAUL, MD., LEROY BAYLOR, JAY K. JOSHI MD., MBA, ADRIENNE EDMUNDSON, ESTER HYATT PH.D., WALTER L. SMITH BS., IN THE SPIRIT OF BRAHM FISHER ESQ., MICHELE ALEXANDER MD., CUDJOE WILDING BS, MARTIN NDJOU, BS., RPH., IN THE SPIRIT OF DEBRA LYNN SHEPHERD, BERES E. MUSCHETT, STRATEGIC ADVISORS
“….My case is a good example of the unfairness of the system. I was charged with 7 counts. The most severe was Drug Delivery Resulting In Death….”
BY
WALTER F. WRENN MD
The criminal justice system needs an overhaul. Not only over bail issues but more importantly “plea deals”. It appears that both the prosecutors and defense attorneys have devised a method of making money or convictions for themselves without having to prove guilt or innocence.
The accused is left with a decision to take this deal or be subject to harsher penalties. In addition, to solidify the plea deal system, appeals are limited to 4 areas. While it is assumed that a accused is innocent until proven guilty and all are intitled to legal counsel that is not the case.
My case is a good example of the unfairness of the system. I was charged with 7 counts. The most severe was Drug Delivery Resulting In Death. Before conviction and while still incarcerated as part of my bail agreement I had to surrender my medical license DEA license and passport and agree not to practice medicine anymore. As a result, when I was released from jail, I had no source of income.
THE RAILROADING
The prosecutor already knew that I had no assets and agreed to a signature bail. I was given a date for a preliminary hearing in 3 weeks. I didn’t even know what charges had been filed against me. Upon hiring an attorney I became aware of the charges. The preliminary hearing was postponed.
Before the new date was set, I was offered a plea deal. Part of the conditions of the plea deal was that I drop the preliminary hearing. Not being familiar with the fact that the preliminary hearing was the only venue that I could challenge the charges against me, I agreed to waive my preliminary hearing.
As I researched my case and others and became aware of the discrepancies in my case, I made my attorney aware. His response was always negative and threatening as if going to trial was not in my best interest although only one charge that of insurance fraud concerned him. When I told him that I preferred a trial he obviously talked to the prosecutor.
When I went to court on 9/1/21 my case was continued and rescheduled for 10/20/21. My attorney had me meet with the prosecutor, the investigator, and myself. In the meeting, the prosecutor said that he could arrest me every week.
He also said that after my arrest he received calls about other patients that I had treated who died. Also that they had not done an analysis of my phone calls.
In addition if I didn’t accept the plea deal he would add additional charges. Seeing that he was convinced that I was a crook, and my attorney was willing to reduce his fee by $10,000, I agreed to accept the plea deal and did so on 10/20/21.
I was faced with 21 years in jail and a $45,000.00 fine. My deal was no jail time, no house arrest, 5 years probation, and a $2000.00 fine and $875 court costs. I pleaded no contest which was part of the plea deal.
The judge changed those 4 charges to guilty and signed the agreement which included the provision that I not practice medicine anymore. I believe I was innocent of all charges. It didn’t make a difference. I accepted the lesser of 2 evils.
How many of those incarcerated individuals have done the same thing? What is truth and justice?
Where does that exist in our criminal justice system?
Walter F. Wrenn III M.D
FOR NOW, YOU ARE WITHIN
THE NORMS
