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Jury convicts Phoenix abortion doctor of sex abuse ( 2003-12-03 15:26) (Agencies)
A jury that deliberated for 14 days convicted a Phoenix abortion doctor of 22 counts of sexual abuse of patients. Brian Finkel, 64, was acquitted of 34 other abuse charges, including six sexual assault counts. Jurors deadlocked on four counts, and Judge Jeffrey Cates dismissed six, citing a lack of evidence. The courtroom was silent when the verdict was read Tuesday, but victims applauded when Finkel was handcuffed and led out. He had been free on bond during the trial, which began in August. More than 30 women testified that Finkel groped them and inappropriately touched their breasts and genitals during exams. ``Just because they're doctors, they're not God,'' said Janet Jorgensen, whose abuse allegations against Finkel were rejected by jurors. ``They do things that are not OK.'' Finkel testified for five days and denied he abused the women. He said he acted professionally and under medical guidelines. Finkel faces a maximum 75 years in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 2. Prosecutor Rick Romley has stressed the case was never about abortion, but about abuse. ``A doctor who has abused that trust by sexually abusing his patients will never, ever do that again,'' he said. Finkel's attorney, Richard Gierloff, promised to appeal. He said the state's strategy ``was to overwhelm the public and jury with the sheer number of counts.'' During the trial, Finkel waved and smiled at his accusers. At one point, he winked at a former patient as she testified, prompting the judge to call a recess after the woman broke down in tears.
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