Judge orders release of victim's medical records

A judge Tuesday ordered the University of Missouri hospital and physicians to turn over any medical records they may have of Paul Wade Plunkett, 52, Holts Summit, before he was murdered on New Year's Day one year ago.

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Rebekah Digiacomo and Chad Rhodes

A defense attorney for Plunkett's wife, Sandra G. Plunkett, 38, wanted all medical records the University of Missouri might have of Paul Plunkett, a former Jefferson City police officer, since Jan. 1, 2006.

Citing a long-standing policy of not disclosing medical records without permission, Katharine S. Bunn, a University of Missouri attorney, asked the court to quash a subpoena from the defense demanding the medical records.

Bunn said the university curators would not release the information unless a judge issued an order requiring them to do so because the administrator of Paul Plunkett's estate had refused to grant permission to release the records.

Circuit Judge Gary M. Oxenhandler ordered the university to produce all medical records of the murder victim sought by Public Defender Justin Carver.

Sandra Plunkett is charged with first-degree murder in the Jan. 1, 2011, shooting death of her husband.

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