Defendant seeks release to donate kidney to his mom

[okarol]

Defendant seeks release to donate kidney to his mom

by JOEL GALLOB - Ravalli Republic
Thursday, March 29, 2007

Michael David Wisdom came before District Court Judge Jeffrey Langton Wednesday with an unusual request - release from jail to donate an organ.

Wisdom was being held on two charges related to a vehicle accident but asked to be released so he could go to Seattle and donate his kidney to his mother. He faces felony criminal mischief and failure to remain at the scene and report an vehicle accident charges.

According to papers filed with the court, Richard Wentz woke up in his Stevensville home on Nov. 27 at about 10:30 p.m. to sounds of a vehicle colliding into his truck parked in the driveway of his home. He looked out the window to see a small maroon-colored passenger car backing out of the driveway and heading west on South Avenue.

But there were pieces of the hit-and-run vehicle on the driveway. On Dec. 6, Stevensville Police Chief James Marble located a maroon-colored passenger car with damage to its front passenger side, on Second Street. Following an investigation, Marble found the vehicle's owner, Robert Wisdom. The father said his son, Michael, had been driving the car and said the damage occurred when somebody backed into him in Stevensville.

The following week, Ravalli County Sheriff's Deputy Shad Pease arrested Michael Wisdom, who had two warrants for his arrest.

Wisdom was charged with felony criminal mischief for the accident, and for leaving the scene and not reporting it. He could face as much as 10 years prison and $50,000 on the first charge, plus 20 days and a $300 fine on the second.

Chief Deputy County Attorney Geoff Mahar told the court there is a no-bail warrant out “from a U.S. court here” in Montana, and that Wisdom's driver's license “might be suspended.”

Defense lawyer Carol Johns said Wisdom resolved the other warrant but “something may be issued by a federal court.”

“In Missoula County the issue has been resolved; the other thing pending against the defendant now is this,” she said.

Johns said Wisdom's mother is seriously ill with kidney failure, Wisdom is a possible match for a transplant.

“The defendant would like to go to Seattle to be tested to make sure he can donate the kidney. His mother is in critical condition; she needs to do it as soon as possible,” Johns said. “He could stay with his father, and be released into his father's custody; he would report to the court if the defendant leaves the area or if there are violations of any conditions” of release.

Justice of the Peace Jim Bailey had set bail at $2,500, but Langton dropped it to $1,500.

Reporter Joel Gallob can be reached at 363-3300 or jgallob@ravallirepublic.com

http://www.ravallirepublic.com/articles/2007/03/29/news/news04.txt

[jbeany]

Since when does he have to go to another state to be tested to see if he's a match?  They can do a blood draw from the jail - I'm sure they have some medical staff.  And any further tests can be done locally as well.  Sounds to me like he just wants to get out of his punishment. 

[Sluff]

And using his Moms illness to boot.   I dunno.. but at least he's helping his Mom I guess. And if he's not a match then who pays for all this transporting and medical tests?