Opinion ID: 2178146
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Medical Evidence

Text: In the meantime, Mr. Reynolds was taken to the hospital. Dr. Mark Buchly testified that Mr. Reynolds presented evidence of blunt injury to the face ... [and] left side of the chest and back. He further noted that his blood pressure was stable, he had an odor of alcohol on his breath, [5] he was complaining of severe pain and difficulty breathing. Mr. Reynolds told Dr. Buchly that he had been punched several times in the face and kicked multiple times in the chest and back. Dr. Buchly testified that examinations including x-rays and CAT scans revealed swelling on the left side of the head and multiple rib fractures and an abrasion over his knee. He confirmed that the swelling was consistent with being punched in the head. During his examination Dr. Buchly discovered a hole in Mr. Reynolds' lung resulting from his fractured ribs, which required surgery. Over the next few days, Mr. Reynolds' ability to breathe deteriorated, and he was placed on a ventilator system. Mr. Reynolds then contracted a variety of infections, and after three weeks, his heart stopped. Despite resuscitation, he had no brain function and his family chose to discontinue treatment, resulting in his death. Dr. Marie-Lydie Pierre-Louis opined that Mr. Reynolds' rib fractures could not have been inflicted with one punch. She doubted that a person's fists could cause such injuries, but indicated that even if Mr. Reynolds' injuries could result from a punch you [would] need more than one anyhow to cause that. She opined that a kick or a stomp could cause such injury. On cross-examination, after being shown photographs of the concrete stairs leading to appellant's door, Dr. Pierre-Louis testified that if Mr. Reynolds had been pushed with some force against the steps and he [had] fall[en], yes, that [could] cause the injury. Dr. John Adams testified that Mr. Reynolds' rib injuries were consistent with being kicked. However, he acknowledged that, [f]alling over an object could produce the same effect. In response to questioning regarding the stairs at appellant's home, Dr. Adams testified, Especially a person who's intoxicated and therefore doesn't have normal protective reflexes I think it's entirely possible that if he fell backwards from the top, from the porch, and landed across those steps, that could break ribs.