A former UCLA gynecologist, James Heaps, has been granted a new trial after a California appeals court determined he was denied a fair hearing. The stunning reversal comes after a critical piece of information – a juror’s potential language barrier – was withheld from his defense team.
The court’s decision overturned Heaps’ 2023 conviction and 11-year prison sentence. The issue centered around Juror No. 15, whose ability to fully understand and participate in deliberations was questioned almost immediately after being seated as a substitute.
A note from the jury foreman, raising concerns about the juror’s English proficiency, was never shared with Heaps’ lawyers. This omission, the appeals court ruled, fundamentally compromised his right to a fair trial and a robust defense.
The revelation of the hidden note came two years after the trial concluded, discovered by an attorney working on the appeal. Had it not been found, a grave injustice would have remained concealed, according to Heaps’ attorney, Leonard Levine.
Heaps faced accusations of sexually assaulting hundreds of patients over a 35-year career at UCLA. The university ultimately paid out nearly $700 million in settlements related to the allegations, a testament to the scale of the claims.
Patients testified that Heaps engaged in inappropriate touching, made unsettling comments, and performed unnecessary and invasive examinations. Many alleged that UCLA knowingly ignored complaints and actively covered up the abuse for decades.
Heaps continued practicing medicine until his retirement in June 2018. He was later charged with 21 felony counts related to the assaults on seven women between 2009 and 2018, ultimately being convicted on five counts in October 2022.
The appeals court acknowledged the difficulty of retrying a case involving sensitive testimony and multiple victims. However, they emphasized that the constitutional right to counsel, particularly at critical stages of a trial, superseded all other considerations.
Prosecutors now have 30 days to decide whether to appeal the ruling. Despite the challenges, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has indicated its intention to retry Heaps as quickly as possible, seeking to secure a conviction.
This case underscores the vital importance of transparency and due process within the legal system. The withheld information cast a shadow over the original verdict, demanding a renewed examination of the evidence and a fair opportunity for Heaps to defend himself.
