A doctor for former Atlanta Public Schools superintendent Beverly Hall says her condition has worsened and it’s impossible to say when Hall might be able to stand 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.
But her oncologist says 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.
Hall would be unable to remain alert during an 6-8 hour trial day and assist her lawyers outside of the trial, according to the statement. Hall also experiences some “loss of mental acuity” at times due to her treatment and the stress of the pending charges.
Hall’s cancer is not curable and she will remain on some form of chemotherapy for the remainder of her life, according to the statement.
“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,” the doctor 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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