The Dominican Medical Association (CMD), the National Association of Private Clinics (ANDECLIP) and the Council of Medical Specialists reaffirmed on 7 March 2018, their support for gynecologist, Dr. Julio Gomez, who is accused by the Public Ministry of voluntary manslaughter. He and a nephew have been in preventive custody since the end of last year.
Dr. Gomez is accused of the death of a home invader as he attempted to protect himself and his family in September 2017 in his home in Sabana Perdida. The victim, Miguel Andres Baez (Lagrimita), had had seven crime files against him, according to his lawyer Margarita Reyes. In the Dominican Republic there are no “Stand Your Ground” or “Castle” laws that provide protection for persons in their homes.
“Lagrimita” was lynched by a mob outside the home of Gómez when attempting to run. Witnesses said that Gómez had asked for the Police to be called instead of the violent acts by others in the community against the assailant.
Recently, the protective custody for the doctor was renewed for three more months by the Public Ministry. The members of the medical community had told various newspapers that the doctor has not been brought before the judge who is handling the case in which he is accused of aggravated homicide or manslaughter. Dr. Gomez has claimed that all he did was try to defend himself and his family from a home invasion.
The medical guild is asking the Court of Appeals in the National District to set a date for the appeal they have filed through their legal department.
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Zol FM
8 March 2018
