The First Cut Is the Deepest

Minneapolis police arrested Dr. Marc Martel for refusing to draw blood from Erik Lamont Lindsey without his consent. Lindsey had allegedly stabbed a man to death, and the police who arrested him brought him to the hospital for a blood alcohol test. But hospital policy requires either the consent of the patient or a written court order, and Martel refused the request. Police had a judge call and orally tell the doctor to draw the blood, but Martel still refused and was arrested for obstruction. Finally, after five hours a judge sent a written order, and another doctor drew the blood. Police later decided not to press charges against Martel.