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California Appeals Court Overturns Ex-UCLA Gynecologist James Heaps’ Conviction, Orders Retrial

The panel found the trial judge failed to alert attorneys to a juror’s English-language issue, compromising the right to counsel at a critical point.

Overview

  • The 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled that Judge Michael Carter did not inform lawyers about a foreperson’s note questioning a juror’s ability to deliberate in English.
  • Acting Presiding Justice Helen I. Bendix authored the 31-page opinion, joined by Justices Gregory J. Weingart and Michelle C. Kim.
  • Heaps, 69, remains incarcerated on an 11-year sentence after a 2022 verdict that included five convictions, seven acquittals and nine counts that resulted in a deadlock.
  • Prosecutors have 30 days to seek further review of the ruling before the case proceeds to a new trial.
  • UCLA separately resolved most related civil claims with settlements of $374 million, $243.6 million and $73 million over allegations the university failed to protect patients.