Paralyzed man had gun in hospital room
January 22, 2010
Donovan Vincent
STAFF REPORTER
A paralyzed man suing Toronto (Don) Jail staff has now been charged with selling drugs to an undercover officer and keeping a loaded gun in his room at St. Michael's Hospital.
Though a police statement issued Thursday doesn't identify the man or the hospital, the Star has learned his name is Venkat Milligan, 22, and that St. Mike's is where the alleged incident took place Wednesday.
Police said a man invited an undercover officer to a hospital coffee shop for a drug deal.
According to police, the deal happened while the patient was sitting in a wheelchair and dressed in a hospital gown.
After his arrest, police searched the man's hospital room and found a loaded handgun and bulletproof vest, as well as cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana. The man was charged with 11 offences, including trafficking in cocaine, drug possession and possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
Police said they didn't identify the man or hospital because their lawyers advised he is entitled to privacy as a patient in hospital.
In a statement, St. Mike's said the hospital security team is meeting with staff and physicians to "determine what, if any, current safety measures can be improved upon.''
"St. Michael's is committed to a safe and secure environment for our patients, visitors and staff,'' the hospital said, calling the incident an "isolated event.''
Milligan has launched a $17 million lawsuit against the province and jail medical staff. In his statement of claim, he says he suffered "humiliating'' and negligent treatment, including being left in his own waste, at the Don where he was held from October to December 2007 on a drug possession charge. He said jail staff wouldn't let him use his wheelchair.
Lawyer Julian Falconer, who is handling Milligan's lawsuit, said his client's treatment at the Don has "nothing to do'' with the allegations regarding St. Mike's.
"The issue is the inhumane treatment of a paraplegic at the Don Jail ... (and) the horrendous conditions he found himself in as an inmate,'' Falconer said, adding the lawsuit is still on track.
The lawyer declined to comment further on the latest charges.
Milligan was left a paraplegic after a gunshot injury to his spine in the spring of 2007.
In his lawsuit, he claims he had to "bum'' or slide his way around at the Don Jail, wasn't given appropriate catheter equipment, and denied the means to use a toilet or sink. As a result, Milligan developed wounds that became drug-resistant infections, his suit claims.
Milligan says he required hospitalization for 18 months afterward.
Counsel for the attorney general's ministry and two doctors have denied all allegations made by Milligan.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
Conditions at the Don have been in the spotlight lately after two inmates were killed within two months.
Toronto Star