A doctor for former Atlanta Public Schools superintendent Beverly Hall says her condition has worsened and it’s impossible to say when she might be able to face trial.
Hall is scheduled to go on trial Aug. 11 along with 12 other former APS educators on charges connected to the Atlanta test-cheating scandal. Hall has Stage IV breast cancer.
In April, her lawyers successfully sought to postpone the trial due to her condition. They're now asking to delay the trial again, according to a letter sent to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter this week.
Hall’s oncologist, Dr. Laura Weakland, said in a sworn statement Hall cannot “physically endure” a trial starting in mid-August because of the side effects of chemotherapy and the progression of her cancer.
An email in response to that news prompted the suspension of a Fulton County assistant district attorney, who was removed from the test-cheating prosecution team. District Attorney Paul Howard said Lori Canfield had vented frustration over the potential delay of the case in the email, “surprise, surprise,” and immediately tried to recall it. Howard said in a written statement he suspended her because “I cannot ignore the appearance of insensitivity to Dr. Hall’s condition.”
Hall would be unable to remain alert during a 6-8 hour trial day and assist her lawyers outside of the trial, according to the statement from her doctor. And Hall’s lawyers have had only occasional access to her in recent months, which has “seriously impeded” their efforts to prepare her defense.
Howard said in a written statement, “It is our hope that this case will be concluded with one trial involving all of the remaining defendants. As always, however, we will follow the instructions of the Court.”
According to the doctor’s statement, Hall’s cancer is not curable and she will remain on some form of chemotherapy for the rest of her life.
“While psychological stress alone has not been found to cause cancer, it is undisputed that psychological stress affects a person’s overall health and ability to cope with cancer,” Dr. Weakland wrote. “Put simply, Dr. Hall must focus on her health right now if she is to have any chance for successful treatment.”
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