Published: November 14, 2008 03:14 pm            

Status conference set for Nov. 21 in McGinnis hearing

A hearing was held last Friday morning regarding a request to transfer murder suspect Steven Dean McGinnis from the Marion County Jail to a VA hospital or the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale.

District Court Judge, Martha L. Mertz, authorized the defense council to supply an order to the VA Hospital for treatment of McGinnis. Mertz also asked the state prosecutors to check into the reason for denying treatment if the VA chooses to do so for McGinnis

According to court records, McGinnis is a longtime VA patient who suffers from post-traumatic stress. The request for transfer said McGinnis is on numerous medications and it goes on to allege that his medications have changed since he’s been in jail without his knowledge or consent.

The state had said it was told by the VA that the department does not pay for treatment or medication for patients who are incarcerated.

A status conference is set for Nov. 21, at 9:30 a.m.

        

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