Court ruling favors bomb-hurt doctor

A circuit judge ruled this week in favor of the former Arkansas State Medical Board chairman who was injured in a 2009 bombing, saying he is entitled to both compensatory and punitive damages.

Dr. Trent Pierce was injured at his West Memphis home on Feb. 4, 2009, when a bomb hidden in a spare tire that was placed in front of his car exploded. Pierce was severely burned and suffered broken bones and teeth, partial hearing loss and the loss of sight in one eye.

Dr. Randeep Mann, a former Russellville physician, was convicted in the attack in U.S. District Court in Little Rock.

He is serving a life sentence.

In her ruling, Crittenden County Circuit Judge Pamela Honeycutt granted a summary judgment requested in January 2010 by Pierce’s attorney, Robert Cearley Jr. of Little Rock.

She said because Mann had been convicted, Cearley would not have to prove in the civil case that Mann planted the bomb that injured Pierce.

Honeycutt said Pierce was entitled to damages determined by either a jury or a judge. She did not set a date for the hearing.

“This ruling is a huge victory … and brings [Pierce and his wife, Me l i ssa Pierce,] closer to obtaining the compensation they deserve,” Cearley said.

Blake Hendrix, Mann’s attorney in Little Rock, did not return a telephone message late Friday.

Pierce’s civil suit seeks “in excess of $ 75,000 in damages” against Mann. Cearley said, however, that he expects much more.

“Dr. Pierce lost an eye and partial hearing,” he said. “We’re expecting a judgment of several million dollars.”

U. S. District Judge Brian Miller ordered Mann to pay Pierce $1,104,281 in restitution when he convicted Mann of the bomb attack. Sangeeta “Sue” Mann successfully argued in court to receive more than $400,000 of the money Mann received through a disability insurance policy after she filed for divorce.

“[ Mann] still has substantial assets that are not depleted,” Cearley said, when asked whether Mann could pay a large judgment if one was rendered.