Crime

Fugitive Surrenders to Get Cancer Care but Authorities Turn Him Loose

A Wisconsin fugitive turned himself in this week so that he could have taxpayers foot the bill for his cancer treatment. But local law enforcement officials, particularly the sheriff, weren’t having any of that. The man was eventually released to a local hospital after his outlook was determined to be “quite bleak.”

The Janesville Gazette explains:

Sheriff Bob Spoden wanted Anthony S. Darwin released from jail so county taxpayers wouldn‘t have to foot the bill for his medical care and because the county doesn’t have a facility to provide the level of care Darwin needs.

“It’s really a balancing test of trying to do the humane thing, trying to adhere to responsibilities of the office of sheriff, and at the same time trying to be a good steward of the taxpayers dollars,” Spoden said after Wednesday’s hearing.

District Attorney David O’Leary, before he knew the seriousness of Darwin’s health conditions, expressed concern over releasing Darwin.

Defense attorney Jack Hoag said Darwin needed treatment and preferred to be released.

Darwin, 30, Janesville, is scheduled for surgery at University Hospital in Madison today after Judge Alan Bates ordered him released on a signature bond during an emergency hearing Wednesday.

Darwin had been in the Rock County Jail on an $8,000 cash bond for five pending cases—four of which are felony charges—including robbery and battery.

He had been on the run for six years until he turned himself in Jan. 10, O’Leary said.

“He turned himself in because he wanted treatment for his medical conditions,” he said. “He wanted us to pay for them. So, we have to, to an extent. He’s got a diagnosis, now.”

The judge admitted that cost was a factor in releasing Darwin, but he also recognized that without health insurance, taxpayers would probably end up paying for the surgery and treatment anyway. Still, the sheriff believes it’s a matter of principle.

According to Dr. Karen Butler, who treated the fugitive during his brief stay in jail, Darwin’s prognosis is “quite bleak” because the cancer has spread to other organs.

Considering that prognosis, the local district attorney was less worried about releasing Darwin, who has a history of posting bail, fleeing, and committing more crimes.

Darwin is due in court on Monday pending the outcome of his surgery.

(H/T: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Comments (53)

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  • Saratoga
    Posted on January 30, 2011 at 10:58am

    Some of my former clients,(read criminals) used to do this stuff all the time. I put a guy in prison for multiple counts of forgery, he pulled eight months, and had the gall to complain when the state turned him out on good behavior. Seems if he had to spend two more months the state would have been responsible for getting him a set of dentures.

    Report Post »  
  • Quencher
    Posted on January 30, 2011 at 9:32am

    DIANNE TX has the best plan for him. Hospice is painless, permanent and inexpensive. If it is good enough for us taxpayers then it should be considered the perfect way to handle career criminals!

    Report Post » Quencher  
  • jnobfan
    Posted on January 30, 2011 at 9:15am

    All he really did was get the cost of the health care off of his books and on to Medicaid which is of course funded by all Americans. I get it Sherrif but this guy is a violent crimminal , not a pot smoker and if he hurts someone while he is free it will be your a$$. I hope you know what your doing.

    Report Post »  
  • brknhrt
    Posted on January 30, 2011 at 8:46am

    Those on public aid get better healthcare than most of us with insurance do – and we have to pay for it. Do you know that public aid pays for lap-band surgery even if you are not morbidly obese? Do you know that public aid cockroaches can take an ambulance to the hospital emergency room if their child has diaper rash and not pay a dime. I have to call and get permission to go to an ER with my insurance. It is time to cut public aid down so that no able-body person receives it. Save it for those who are truly disabled and the elderly.

    Report Post » brknhrt  
  • jColes
    Posted on January 30, 2011 at 8:21am

    Interesting perspectives…the bottom line is this: Good Old Darwin tried to game the system…took his shot and lost. The Sheriff saw and understood the scam and reacted appropriately…once the DA understood the situation even he acquiesced to the reality of the attempted scam.

    Jailed persons do not receive superior medical care, but they do receive legally adequate medical care, in most cases…a few courts have agreed with prisoner loons and their insane counsels’ demands for some extreme medical procedures — including recently a Federal judge ordering gender change treatment for an incarcerated felon; but on the whole prison medical care is comparable to that found in most public hospitals…adequate but not all that good, especially for persons with low-survivability rate diseases & conditions.

    Whether or not Obamacare is fully implemented is totally irrelavent to this discussion…Obamacare is a pernicious and destructive plan designed destroy the best medical care delivery system on the planet and make everyone a serf — or indentured servant — of the government…Obamacare is not about medical care delivery — it is about government control of every aspect of Americans’ lives…this vile Progressive assault on our liberties must be repealed; but that is a separate discussion from Good Old Darwin’s attempted scam.

    Report Post »  
  • canuck44
    Posted on January 30, 2011 at 7:50am

    We should obtain some use for this POS. Enroll him in a study…as a “control”….there, now he has been appropriately treated and made a final positive contribution to society.

    Report Post »  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on January 30, 2011 at 4:29am

    I hope that he only receives hospice care – that‘s where you’re overdosed on morphine until you’re dead. Fitting end for this person.

    Report Post »  
  • Chicago Ray
    Posted on January 30, 2011 at 2:08am

    These fugitives know more about the system, its loopholes and their exploitation than the people who write and pass the dang things…sad situation.

    our prison system is a better way of life than most of the third world and an upgrade for most of the prisoners within it.

    Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
  • CITIZENCHET
    Posted on January 30, 2011 at 12:19am

    Isn’t there a death panel in place somewhere in national healthcare recently imposed by the President and the legislators who voted this obviously unconstitutional law into effect that would make this guy wait his turn on the surgery table after standing at the end of the line?

    Report Post »  
  • bertr
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 11:34pm

    a cheap shot i admit, but doesnt any one else find it amusing that this guy is named Darwin?

    Report Post » bertr  
  • benrush
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 10:10pm

    The man should take massive doses of Vitamin C – what has he got to lose?

    http://www.vitamincfoundation.org

    Of course the FDA doesn’t want anything to do with simple inexpensive treatments that cut into the profits of the pharmaceuticals.

    Report Post »  
  • CharlesMartel
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 10:08pm

    I have no sympathy for a thief who didn’t want to work like the rest of us to pay his own medical bills and wanted to get the taxpayers to pay for his care. I hope he gets prepared to meet his Maker.

    Report Post » CharlesMartel  
  • Rush2112
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:41pm

    Two years ago I would have been very surprised with this story. Today, not so much.

    Report Post » Rush2112  
  • docgreen
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:40pm

    Either way he gets free Health Care, just like all people do! What gets me is, the Dems keep saying we need health care coverage for all; we allready have it! If its an emergency, people can go to the ER and they’ll give it too you!

    Report Post »  
    • kindling
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 10:00pm

      He will not get free transportation, food, laundry, and a bed……that is unless he is in the hospital until he dies and it is still cheaper because we will not be paying an officer to stand at his door.

      Report Post » kindling  
    • Bengal68
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 2:33am

      I don‘t know why people don’t grasp this. Everybody already has health care as you said. NOBODY gets turned away if they go to the ER. After the er they can go to a free clinic. The part that really galls me is the victims of gun shots refuse to cooperate with police. And they get the bullet wounds repaired and are off on their way. This new health care plan is only going to cost the tax paying workers more money and the slugs.. nada.

      Report Post » Bengal68  
  • kschmud
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:23pm

    Glad to see some real common sense being applied.

    Report Post »  
  • mickey16
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:22pm

    And what is it that constitutes a “death Panel”? But they don’t exist!

    Report Post »  
  • booger71
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:20pm

    By Federal Court decrees, inmates receive the best health care in the USA. If your sick and broke, throw a rock through a post office window

    Report Post » booger71  
    • docgreen
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:33pm

      Booger 71, most people don’t realize its a Federal property, and therefore Federal prison/Federal charges! Just like people that make fake money! Its all funny until they realize its a Federal Offense! Your messing with Federal Power, not state!… Your right on the health care! They also get three meals a day, and a Bed! Whatever happened to chain gangs? I think we need to go back to those days! Do people realize, on average, it costs the taxpayer 60,0000 to house one inmate! I think its time they start earning there keep!….. Working for a living!…..

      Report Post »  
    • kindling
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:58pm

      I wrote to the first President Bush asking him to change prisons to not have guards except around the outside and let the inmates take care of everything inside. We should not be paying to take care of them. Let them learn to get along with each other and clean up after each other. Just shove food and soap under the door and cart out the bodies. He never wrote back.

      Report Post » kindling  
    • Fina Biscotti
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 1:37am

      Kindling…..good idea……funny……“he did not write back”……cracked me up.

      Report Post »  
  • DianeCee
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:17pm

    We tax payers get to pay for jail AND cancer treatment? I suppose we will have to pay for the cremation, too.

    Report Post »  
    • beverlee
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 2:18am

      We pay for cancer treatments, aids treatments, sex change drugs, and much more. Think this is a part of the budget problem in America? They have to pay for their dollar socks but we’ll pay for their million dollar medical bills. Makes sense to me.

      Report Post » beverlee  
    • Hoosierchap
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 12:23pm

      Aren’t we also paying for Viagra?

      Report Post » Hoosierchap  
  • Nigel2
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:17pm

    No problem. He can just go shot somebody. Then they will have no choice.

    Report Post » Nigel2  
  • Eblaze44
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:09pm

    what – the government not going to take care of that pre-existing condition?

    Report Post » Eblaze44  
  • bbdarthchris077
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:00pm

    I think I would have also given him a bible and a address to a good local church.

    Report Post »  
  • Thighmaster
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 8:59pm

    Welcome to ObamaCare

    Report Post » Thighmaster  
    • Enuff Zenuff
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:20pm

      I’m reminded of a great Ann Coulter quote, “I might be in favor of national healthcare if it required all Democrats to get their heads examined.”

      Report Post » Enuff Zenuff  
    • USAMama
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 10:53pm

      @ Enuff Zenuff

      I hadn’t heard that quote…. HAHAHAHA, thats great :)

      Report Post » USAMama  
  • Large Eagle
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 8:58pm

    Shock Treatment Needed for this punk
    Way to discern Sheriff

    Report Post »  
    • bechlerbuff
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 1:13am

      That is right. Should just let him rot in jail, shouldn’t take too long. Don’t treat him, then taxpayers won’t have to foot the bill.

      Report Post » bechlerbuff  
  • GONESURFING
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 8:58pm

    Typical, great justice system we have.

    Report Post » GONESURFING  
    • Enuff Zenuff
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:18pm

      Re-elect Sherriff Spoden!

      Report Post » Enuff Zenuff  
    • GBMBulletsSKNRD
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:29pm

      What’s next, What‘s next What’t next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:58pm

      I thought those without insurance didn’t get care in this country … sounds like either way he will get the care and the taxpayers will get the bill … one way or another.

      Report Post »  
    • fivebyfive
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 10:13pm

      Under Obamacare
      In three years he could just take the BLUE pill

      Report Post » fivebyfive  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 10:28pm

      Well, that was very interesting – I don’t have insurance but I think that is carrying things a little far to get treatment. http://wp.me/pYLB7-y9

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • home_of_the_brave
      Posted on January 29, 2011 at 10:29pm

      This bastard turned himself in just so he could have the taxpayers pay for his treatment! The same taxpayers he robbed and beat up. He spent his whole life stealing other people’s hard earned money and now he gets to stick it to us one more time.

      Report Post »  
    • VoteBushIn12
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 12:27am

      Why does he need the County to foot the bill? I thought our Health Care system was top notch just the way it was…

      Maybe there is a need for a Public Option after all.

      Report Post » VoteBushIn12  
    • bechlerbuff
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 1:10am

      Need more people like him!! Next president?!?

      Report Post » bechlerbuff  
    • iheartusa
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 1:14am

      The Darwin Award winner!

      Report Post » iheartusa  
    • Doc_Slammin
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 1:51am

      Our justice system is FUBAR.

      While I can agree that we can not allow criminals to roam the streets, there is no recompense to the victim anymore. If you are robbed and beaten by a person who has nothing to take in recompense and you are forced to pay for his/her incarceration, how is that “justice” to the victim?

      In this particular case, Darwin paid an $8,000 cash bond to get out of jail and hide out for 6 years. Did ANY of that money go to his victims? No. To add insult to injury, now, this ‘piece of trash’ turns himself in to further burden society with his own medical needs.

      How about Gabrielle Giffords? Should she and her husband be forced to pay for her assailant’s incarceration while he just sits in jail? What will be her recompense for medical expenses and permanent disfigurement? Justice? Where?

      Report Post » Doc_Slammin  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 7:05am

      Since we are told that without money there is no treatment (lie), perhaps this should be the case. The system is fubar only so far that criminals get the same, or better, treaatment than the people they criminalized. Nuts!
      The taxpayer takes it in the ear with this guy no matter what.

      Report Post » historyguy48  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 10:05am

      @ Doc, Giffords is a U.S. Congresswoman. We taxpayers were already paying her medical expenses Before she was shot. As for the Justice System, thank-you Sheriff for kicking him out. The County would have been paying all of his expenses and have to make every effort to safe this POS’ life. Thrown into the indigent category, he now has to wade through the beaurocracy of medicare/medicaid approvals. You cannot be turned away from Emergency care; his is not an emergency situation.

      Report Post » Sheepdog911  
    • oldoldtimer
      Posted on January 30, 2011 at 10:14am

      This happens all the time. You just do not hear about it. What the states needs to do is pass laws to recoup the expense of medical care from these pieces of trash. Maybe even require all prisoners to have Health Insurance. What a neat idea. Make some one buy something whether they want to, can afford it or not.

      Report Post »  
  • TruthTalker
    Posted on January 29, 2011 at 8:55pm

    Will they arrest him if he survives?

    Report Post »  
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