2 more charges dropped against West Virginia gastroenterologist accused of sexual assault — 6 insights

A judge dismissed two more charges against Charleston, W. Va., gastroenterologist Steven Matulis, MD, the Charleston Gazette-Mail reports.

Here's what you should know:

1. A judge has dropped four charges against Dr. Matulis already. He is still charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual abuse.

2. He allegedly performed breast and vaginal exams on patients during gastrointestinal medical procedures without their consent.

3. The judge dismissed charges brought by a surgical technician at Dr. Matulis' practice.

4. The technician claimed to witness Dr. Matulis sexually assault a patient under anesthesia during a colonoscopy, but the technician did not see Dr. Matulis perpetrate the assault firsthand. The technician claimed movement on a screen documenting the procedure captured the assault.

5. Dr. Matulis' attorney presented a medical record that debunked the claim. According to the record, Dr. Matulis had to navigate around stool present in the patient's colon. The defense said that was why the technician saw movement.

6. The defense attempted to get other charges thrown out, but the judge found sufficient evidence for the jury to consider.

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