SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Attorney: Plaintiff could request Seattle Mayor Ed Murray undergo another exam

Apr 12, 2017, 6:02 AM | Updated: 9:12 am

The doctor’s exam of Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s genitalia is certainly a bombshell in the sex-abuse allegations brought against him, according to a prominent Seattle attorney.

RELATED: Murray facing a ‘really, really tough problem’

However, Anne Bremner told KIRO Radio’s Ron and Don that a judge would not be required to dismiss this case based on the medical record alone.

“It’s up to the plaintiff’s lawyers to do what they think is appropriate,” she said.

What is more interesting, in Bremner’s opinion, is that a board certified gastroenterologist at the Polyclinic is listed on the medical record that Murray’s attorney, Bob Sulkin, provided at the news conference.

Sulkin said the description of Murray’s physical appearance is false. The examination found no mole, no bump, and no evidence of removal.

“Other things can account for things on the genitalia,” Bremner said, adding that the plaintiff, named as D.H. in the lawsuit, can request another exam.

D.H. alleges the mayor molested and raped him as a teenager in the 1980s. The Seattle Times reports two other men have also accused Murray of sexual abuse in the ’80s.

Former Attorney General Rob McKenna told KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz that Murray doesn’t have to agree to another examination.

“This is not a criminal case,” McKenna said. “This is a civil case.”

McKenna added that Sulkin could stack testimony from Murray’s doctor up against testimony of the plaintiff’s. He said they could introduce photo evidence into the case, but that’s unlikely due to privacy issues.

“The doctor’s testimony could be challenged on the stand,” McKenna said. “Essentially, the mayor will be putting the credibility of his physician up against the plaintiff’s claims.”

Sulkin said in his Tuesday news conference that the heart of the claim is the description of the mayor’s private anatomy and dismissed the description of Murray’s former Capitol Hill apartment and old phone number as mere public record.

But Bremner said you can’t dismiss that there are two other accusers named in The Seattle Times’ story.

“They would be able to testify under some circumstances,” she said.

In Tuesday’s new conference, Sulkin reminded reporters that allegations had been made against the mayor prior to D.H.’s lawsuit — when Murray was “pushing the marriage equality act.”

“They were found to be false and not worthy of being published by The Seattle Times,” Sulkin said. “These accusers were aligned with a vehement anti-gay organization. And now, on the cusp of a mayoral election, we have allegations dating back 30 years.”

According to The Seattle Times, D.H.’s attorney, Lincoln Beauregard, “suggested the doctor’s exam could not be independently verified.”

Costco (4)...

Julia Dallas

Costco sued over ‘sugar-free’ claims on Kirkland electrolyte drink mix

Costco is being sued over a “sugar-free” electrolyte drink mix that plaintiff Mason Maldonado alleged is falsely advertised.

42 minutes ago

Wake County Board of Elections employees prepare absentee ballots to be mailed on Thursday, Sept. 3...

Associated Press

Trump administration’s quiet move makes it harder for some US citizens abroad to vote, lawsuit says

The Democratic National Committee on Thursday filed a lawsuit alleging that President Donald Trump’s administration secretly changed a postcard used by U.S. citizens overseas in a way that makes it harder to register to vote. The lawsuit contends that the Department of Defense made the change by declaring an emergency, which allowed it to eliminate […]

2 hours ago

Department of Energy...

MyNorthwest Staff

‘Deeply disturbing’: Department of Energy employee allegedly acquired explosive materials in attempt to aid Houthis

A Department of Energy employee was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material or resources to the Houthis.

2 hours ago

FILE - The Army dress uniform and photo of the late Christopher Pelkey is displayed at his mother's...

Associated Press

Sentence tossed in Arizona case where deceased victim was depicted speaking in AI-generated video

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona man’s 10-year manslaughter sentence has been tossed in a case where a video generated by artificial intelligence portrayed the deceased victim addressing a judge before the punishment was imposed. In a decision released Wednesday, the Arizona Court of Appeals concluded Gabriel Paul Horcasitas must be resentenced in the 2021 shooting […]

2 hours ago

...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘It is shameful’: Councilmember Saka criticizes Seattle’s response to drug activity, stolen goods markets in CID

Rob Saka demands increased police patrols and social worker outreach in Seattle's Chinatown amid rising drug activity and theft.

2 hours ago

paine field plane crash (1)...

MyNorthwest Staff

‘Very sad, unfortunate incident’: Pilot killed after small plane crashes in Everett

A small plane crashed on the west side of Paine Field in Everett Thursday afternoon.

3 hours ago

Attorney: Plaintiff could request Seattle Mayor Ed Murray undergo another exam