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Paul H. Parker v. United States
235 F.2d 21
D.C. Cir.
1956
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PER CURIAM.

This appeal is from a conviction for a robbery committed May 9, 1955. The *22 trial commenced November 21,1955. Insanity was asserted as a defense.

Dr. Epstein of St. Elizabeths Hospital, who had examined and treated the defendant both before and after the crime, .testified regarding his mental condition. The District of Columbia Code, 1951, § 14-308, 29 Stat. 138, forbids physicians to disclose confidential information acquired in attending a patient in a professional capacity. But an amendment, effective August 9, 1955, makes this prohibition inapplicable in criminal trials when the accused raises the defense of insanity. 69 Stat. 612. We think the District Court was right in applying this amendment. Cf. Hopt v. Utah, 110 U.S. 574, 587-590, 4 S.Ct. 202, 28 L.Ed. 262. We find no error affecting substantial rights.

Affirmed.

Case Details

Case Name: Paul H. Parker v. United States
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
Date Published: Jun 7, 1956
Citation: 235 F.2d 21
Docket Number: 13059_1
Court Abbreviation: D.C. Cir.
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