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Surgeon Sex Trial -- Student Describes Waking To Molestation

Robert Boyda Accused Of Assaulting Patients

POSTED: 2:12 pm EDT April 28, 2009
UPDATED: 9:36 pm EDT April 28, 2009

The trial of a Mount Lebanon oral surgeon accused of assaulting 17 patients while they were under anesthesia continued on Tuesday.

Prosecutors claim Dr. Robert Boyda groped or fondled patients, ranging in age from 13 to 58, as they recovered from dental surgery in his offices in Robinson and Scott townships.

Channel 4 Action News' Bob Mayo was in the courtroom. He reported the court heard testimony from two more victims, including a 20-year-old student who described waking up in a recovery room to Boyda holding her hand against his private parts.

The alleged victim testified that she tried to explain to her mother what had happened, but she was still under the influence of the drugs and her mother interpreted what the woman said as being related to pain from the surgery.

After a friend encouraged her to confide in parents, she did, and the family contacted Robinson police, the woman testified.

Boyda

On cross-examination, Boyda's lawyer tried to confront the witness with a questionnaire she filled out on a MySpace page. One of the questions was, "Have you ever lied to police?" The witness answered "yes." However prosecutors objected, establishing the questionnaire may have been filled out when the woman was 16, so the judge didn't allow that line of questioning. The judge also wouldn't allow questions about the witness's credibility regarding her answer on the questionnaire involving whether she lied to her parents.

The other witness who testified on Tuesday morning was a 49-year-old woman who said she had two procedures at Boyda's office.

After one surgery, she woke up and discovered when she got home that her clothing was off her and her bra was off to the side, as were her pants, the woman testified. The woman told the court she wasn't sure what to make of the clothing situation.

On the stand, the woman said during her second visit she came to briefly to see Boyda pull down his zipper, pull out his penis and come toward her. She then she went under again, she said. After the procedure the alleged victim testified Boyda kept asking her if she remembered anything and she refused to answer. A few days later, the story broke in the media.

Given the number of alleged victims, the nonjury trial is expected to be lengthy.



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