Tiger forced to hand over prescription drug records
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In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Florida, Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods sits in an unmarked police vehicle as he speaks with law-enforcement personnel following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, on March 27. - Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP
STUART, Florida (AP):
Tiger Woods' prescription drug records will be handed over to prosecutors following his March arrest in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence, a judge ruled yesterday morning.
Judge Darren Steele approved an agreement between Woods' defence attorney and prosecutors following a four-minute hearing in Martin County circuit court, just north of Palm Beach County.
Prosecutors had issued a subpoena seeking copies of all prescription medication records for the legendary golfer at a Palm Beach pharmacy from the start of the year through the end of March. Defence attorney Doug Duncan had previously argued that Woods has a constitutional right to privacy when it comes to his prescription medications, but he acknowledged during the hearing that the right is not absolute and that prosecutors could make a compelling argument for why they were needed.
Meanwhile, prosecutors agreed to Duncan's request for a protective order limiting the release of records only to prosecutors, law-enforcement officers, state experts, and Woods' defence team.
Woods has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence. A sheriff's office report said deputies found two pain pills in his pocket, and he showed signs of impairment after his SUV clipped a truck's trailer and rolled onto its side.
Woods was traveling at high speeds on a beachside, residential road on Jupiter Island with a 30mph (nearly 50kph) speed limit when his Land Rover caused US$5,000 in damage to the truck, according to an incident report. Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer test that showed no signs of alcohol but refused a urine test, authorities said.