Henry Ruggs' lawyers want to block medical records release
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Attorneys for former Raiders player Henry Ruggs III are fighting to keep his medical records out of the hands of prosecutors charging him with driving under the influence in a fiery crash that killed a woman and cost Ruggs his NFL job.
Ruggs didn't appear in person in court Wednesday, as prosecutors filed additional charges that could mean additional prison time if the 22-year-old former first-round NFL draft pick is convicted.
He is accused of driving 156 mph with a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit in Nevada when his sports car slammed into the rear of Tina Tintor´s vehicle early Nov. 2.
Tintor's funeral is scheduled Thursday. Ruggs is being held on house arrest with strict conditions while his criminal case proceeds.
Ruggs´ attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, cited state privacy law and convinced a judge to at least temporarily block access to Ruggs´ medical records.
Chesnoff said state law supersedes federal health records privacy requirements.
Attorney Peter Christiansen obtained the same temporary block on behalf of Ruggs´ girlfriend, Kiara Je´nai Kilgo-Washington. She was with Ruggs and was also injured in the crash.
The judge set a Dec. 8 hearing to decide if their medical records must be turned over to police and prosecutors.
