The trial took place on Thursday, when Scott Green, a plastic surgeon in northern California, surprised the judge by appearing live from his operating theatre.
Green appeared before Sacramento Superior Court Commissioner Gary Link’s online courtroom while wearing his surgical garbs, reports The Sacramento Bee. The sounds of medical devices can be heard in the background.
“Hello, Mr Green?”, the court clerk began, “are you available for trial? It kind of looks like you’re in an operating room right now.”
The surgeon replied, “I am, sir. Yes, I’m in an operating room right now. I’m available for trial. Go right ahead.”
The clerk reminded Mr Green that by law, traffic trials were required to be open to the public. Due to restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic, this requirement was being met by livestreaming hearings on YouTube.
Green seemed unfazed and agreed to continue with the trial. However, the court commissioner was unimpressed, “unless I’m mistaken, I’m seeing a defendant that’s in the middle of an operating theatre room appearing to be actively engaged in providing services to a patient. Is that correct Mr Green? Or should I say Dr Green?”
Link said that he was not comfortable with the patient’s welfare given that the surgeon appeared to be operating. While Green tried to reassure the commissioner, noting that he was working alongside another surgeon, the commissioner moved to halt the trial.
Green apologised, “Sometimes, surgery doesn’t always go as...” he said, until the judge interrupted him, stopping the trial and suggesting a new date.
In a statement released on Friday, the Medical Board of California said it would look into the incident, stating that it “expects physicians to follow the standard of care when treating their patients.”
