Authorship of medical certificate at issue in Rita Hunter’s malicious prosecution trial

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September 8, 2010

By Susan Redden Jasper County Writer The Joplin Globe Wed Sep 08, 2010, 02:13 PM CDT

JOPLIN, Mo. — Rita Hunter testified in a Jasper County courtroom today that she filled out the medical certificate that was signed by a Galena, Kan., physician and that was then used to have the late Emma France declared a ward of the county.

Hunter, the former Jasper County public administrator, offered the testimony during the second day of a trial in which France’s daughter, Dolores Forste, is suing Hunter, accusing her of malicious prosecution.

Hunter, who is not a doctor, said she completed the medical certificate before France was taken to see Dr. Stephen Bazzano, the day before the court hearing in which France was made a ward of the county.

“It’s not an uncommon practice; you have the information and the doctor prefers to have it in advance. If they agree, they’ll sign it, or make corrections,” she said.

Hunter said she completed the report based on information provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. She agreed, however, that a dementia diagnosis she included in the report was not included in those state assessments. Hunter said that the dementia diagnosis was based on conversations she had with state workers.

Hunter also alleged during the trial today that the state urged the guardianship because, among other things, France had apparently been losing money to alleged scam artists. Hunter identified letters her office had written to some of those to whom France was sending money, including a psychic who sold candles and amulets.

Pick up a copy of Thursday's Joplin Globe or go to joplinglobe.com and register for our e-edition for more on this story.

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Authorship of medical certificate at issue in Rita Hunter’s malicious prosecution trial

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