That's All It Required

Photo from Michael Stravato from the New York Times

Nurses all over are happy, as well as those who just look to do what's good and just in this world. After facing charges of 10 years in jail for telling the truth on their disturbing boss, the whistleblowing nurse is acquitted of the nutty charges in just 1 hour.

A jury in West Texas took less than an hour Thursday to acquit a nurse who had been charged with a felony after anonymously complaining to the state medical board that a doctor at her hospital was practicing unsafe medicine. The prosecution had ignited deep concern among health care workers and advocates for whistle-blowers about the potential chilling effect of a conviction.

After a four-day trial, the jury in Andrews, Tex., acquitted the nurse, Anne E. Mitchell, who had worked at Winkler County Memorial Hospital in Kermit, Tex., for 25 years.

Mrs. Mitchell, 52, and Vickilyn Galle, 54, a co-worker who helped her write the anonymous letter, were fired by the hospital last June, shortly before they were indicted. The charges against Mrs. Galle were dismissed last month at the prosecutor’s discretion.

I guess tort reform wasn't needed, after all.

And by the way, shouldn't this doctor's license be, you know, revoked?