SIMI VALLEY : Prosecutors to View Tuffree Health Files
A judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors may examine a portion of schoolteacher Daniel Allen Tuffree’s medical records from the August day a Simi Valley police officer was shot to death.
Superior Court Judge Allan Steele decided that some records from Tuffree’s health management organization would be made available, in an exception to the privileged relationship between Tuffree and his psychotherapists. However, the judge delayed handing over the papers to allow time for defense attorneys to appeal his decision.
“These are records that surround the events that brought us here, the basis for the request to check on Mr. Tuffree,” Steele said. Lawyers do not know exactly what records the judge intends to release or what they contain.
Tuffree, who faces the death penalty if convicted, is accused of killing Police Officer Michael Clark when the officer responded to a “check welfare” call at Tuffree’s Simi Valley home Aug. 4.
Steele also listened to arguments Thursday about whether the remainder of Tuffree’s medical records should be released to prosecutors. He postponed decisions on the records, which encompass visits with several doctors and psychotherapists.
Tuffree taught high school classes in Van Nuys and other San Fernando Valley communities before the shooting.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
