Judge orders doctor forcibly medicated to stand trial

Norwich

Michael Brown, 53, of 730 State Pier Road, New London, was charged Saturday with fifth-degree larceny.

Matthew Stevens, 28, of 56 Otis St. was charged Saturday with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

Christopher Ruley, 26, of 443 E. Main St. was charged Sunday with disorderly conduct, second-degree threatening, interfering with police and risk of injury to a minor.

Tanisha Prince, 41, of 471 E. Main St. was charged Sunday with violation of a protective order, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

William Oates, 33, of 471 E. Main St. was charged Sunday with violation of a protective order, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

Larry Satfford, 56, of 18 East Ave. was charged Tuesday with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Cameron Barnhill, 22, of 153 Golden St. was charged Tuesday with driving with a suspended license.

Terry Colonna, 55, of 22 Clairmount Ave. was charged Wednesday with assault on a public safety officer, second-degree threatening and breach of peace.

Tavon L. Bubelt, 19, of 45A Coit St. was charged Wednesday with third-degree assault and breach of peace.

Police logs reflect arrests, not convictions. Visit www.jud2. ct.gov/crdockets/SearchByDefDisp.aspx to learn the outcomes of criminal and motor vehicle arrests.

New Haven — A Superior Court judge Wednesday ordered Dr. Lishan Wang to be forcibly medicated in an effort to restore him to competency and stand trial for allegedly slaying a medical colleague seven years ago.

Wang’s attorneys had appealed Superior Court Judge Thomas V. O’Keefe Jr.’s original order in November 2015 for the forced medication, but the state Supreme Court upheld his ruling in September 2016. O’Keefe noted Wednesday during a hearing that the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday declined to take up the issue, as had been requested by the defense team.

“This clears the way for my order to be carried out,” O’Keefe said, “which is the (forced) medication of Dr. Wang.”

As Wang looked down and did not speak, O’Keefe said, “I’m hoping the doctor considers taking the medication voluntarily. I hope that force is not necessary. It’s firmly in his best interests.”

Wang’s lead attorney, New Haven Public Defender Thomas Ullmann, had argued in his appeal that forced medication would be “cruel and unusual punishment.”

The medication will be administered at the Whiting Forensic Division of Connecticut Valley Hospital, where Wang is being held. O’Keefe directed the medical staff there to report to him within 60 days on the progress of the medication program.

Wang allegedly shot to death Dr. Vajinder Toor in April 2010 outside Toor’s Branford condominium. In addition to the murder charge, Wang is accused of attempted murder for allegedly firing at Toor’s pregnant wife. She crouched behind a vehicle and was not struck by any bullets.

Wang, 51, has maintained he is not mentally ill and has said he will resist taking the medication (olanzapine and ziprasidone).

But after court adjourned, Ullmann said, “I hope he listens to Judge O’Keefe. We pursued the appeal because I don’t believe in forced medication. But we’re at the end of the road so I hope he cooperates rather than being restrained. Get it done.”

However, Ullmann said, “I would be surprised” if Wang does comply.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Gene Calistro Jr., the state’s prosecutor in the Wang case, said he thought the doctors would begin administering the medication Wednesday. “I’ve done everything in my power to protect his rights,” O’Keefe said as he looked at Wang, dressed in gray sweatpants, running shoes and a black zipper jacket. “I hope he appreciates it.”

“In most regards he is respectful to the court,” O’Keefe said, even when Wang did not agree with the rulings.

O’Keefe said he has ordered a two-week update on the medication program results from Gail Sicilia, the court-appointed health care guardian for Wang.

Assistant State’s Attorney Karen Roberg, who was filling in for Calistro in court Wednesday, said the state also had requested a medical report in 60 days from the hospital. She said Calistro spoke with Sicilia and she has agreed to report to Ullmann every two weeks “on the progress or lack thereof.”

Public Defender Angelica Papastavros, Wang’s co-counsel, said the defense agreed Dr. Mark Cotterell of Whiting will report to O’Keefe every 60 days on how the medication program is going.

O’Keefe concluded the brief session Wednesday by saying, “Good luck, Dr. Wang.” The defendant nodded but still looked glum as he was led out of the courtroom.

Papastavros handed to O’Keefe a one-page hand-written motion from Wang in which he asked that Ullmann be replaced by “a different legal counsel, preferably a special public defender.”

O’Keefe did not immediately rule on the motion. “We get a lot of motions from him,” he noted.