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Doctor Testifies In Trial For Local Oral Surgeon

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May 4, 2009 6:44 pm US/Eastern

Doctor Testifies In Trial For Local Oral Surgeon

Reporting
Harold Hayes
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The defense began its case in the trial of a Mt. Lebanon oral surgeon charged with sexually molesting many of his patients.

Seventeen of them testified during the past week that they were molested in one way or another by Dr. Robert Boyda in his offices while recovering from the effects of anesthesia for oral surgery.

The final prosecution witness testified, "I am 100 percent positive that this happened. I was coming in and out of consciousness."

"Did you fight or scream?" asked defense attorney Bill Difenderfer.

"I couldn't," she replied.

But after the prosecution rested, Dr. John Butterworth of the Indiana University School of Medicine Anesthesia Department said claims like these are not unusual.

"Anesthetics have been associated with sexual dreams and hallucinations since general anesthesia was introduced in 1846," he testified.

He was asked about specific recollections of the alleged victims - many of whom said they could not resist Dr. Boyda's advances and could not recall the trip home.

"Would this recall be a credible recall?" asked Difenderfer.

"No," replied Butterworth. "It sounds more like a hallucination. These drugs would not have prohibited them from moving around."

The defense continues its case tomorrow.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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