A doctor pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing a hand from a cadaver at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, which was later found at the home of a stripper in South Plainfield.
Under a plea agreement, Ahmed Rashed, 26, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of third-degree theft, said Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Judson Hamlin. The physician admitted taking the hand while he was a student at the medical school in 2002.
He will be prohibited from seeking a license to practice medicine in New Jersey while he is on probation. Hamlin said he will recommend five years of probation.
"It was certainly a unique case, but one that attracted more attention than more serious crimes before and after,'' he said.
Rashed got to know Linda Kay, an exotic dancer, while he was a medical student. He gave the left hand to Kay, 31, during one of his visits the club where she worked, Hott 22 in Union, which features all-nude dancers.
"Our investigation revealed that she expressed an interest to him in acquiring one, and he followed through with her request,'' Hamlin said.
South Plainfield police responded to report of a suicidal man at Kay's home in July. No man was found, but police saw the severed hand in a jar on her dresser.
A grand jury indicted Kay on a receiving stolen property charge, which was resolved when she agreed to be enrolled in a supervision program for one year, Hamlin said.
Rashed is currently practicing medicine in Los Angeles.
No comments:
Post a Comment