Monday, September 17, 2012
Statement on Latest Kosilek Ruling
I released the following statement today, after U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf ruled that convicted murderer Robert Kosilek is entitled to compensation from the state for the legal fees associated with his 12-year quest to have the Commonwealth pay for his gender reassignment surgery (Judge Wolf had previously ruled that the state’s Department of Correction must provide the surgery at taxpayers’ expense):
“In ruling that the plaintiff is entitled to legal costs in his pursuit of gender reassignment surgery, Judge Wolf is continuing down the wrong path. This second inappropriate decision makes it even more critical for the Department of Corrections to file appeals and stand up for the taxpayers of Massachusetts and the integrity of the Eighth Amendment. I am once again calling on Commissioner Spencer to do the right thing by pursuing a vigorous appeal to overturn the court’s rulings.”