June 18, 1962
Samuel Clark, who has charged he was beaten by police, was treated at St. Peter’s Hospital for abrasions of both his eyes, headaches, and an abrasion on top of his foot, according to hospital records. He also was examined for a possible head injury.
Certified Photostats of the records were given today to Albany Police Commissioner James Kirwin by Peter M. Pryor, Mr. Clark’s attorney.
Mr. Clark, according to the medical records, was admitted at 1 a.m. May 31st. That was less than four hours after his arrest on a charge of disorderly conduct outside of his mother’s home at 111 Jefferson Street.
Reported Beating
The hospital records show Mr. Clark told emergency room attendants and interns he was beaten by Albany police.
Police were notified of Mr. Clark’s injuries and complaint of a beating at 1:15 a.m., according to an emergency room report.
The emergency room records show:
"Police notified at 1:15 a.m. Pentocine (an anesthetic) in both eyes. Patient claims that he had been beaten in police station and after he left the Police Department he couldn’t see anything. Has pain and swelling in eyelids, mostly in left eye. Has abrasions in both corneas. Skull series a.m. Dr. pickett was called T.B.A. ( To Be Admitted)" -- Dr. Nathan
Doctor Called
The emergency room report also shows a telephone call was made to Dr. Joseph B. Robinson, 57 South Hawk Street. but Dr. Robinson’s name is scratched out on the record. (Dr. Robinson said later he received a call from a hospital intern after 1 a.m. and was told " There’s a man in bad shape who has head and eye injuries and he asked for you." Dr. Robinson said he replied: "I have no privileges at St. Peter’s Hospital. If the man is in such condition. As you describe him to me I suggest, Doctor, that you admit him and get an eye doctor quickly."
Hourly treatment and care charts by the hospital nurses show Mr. Clark, on the day of his admission, had side rails on both sides of his bed, patches over both his eyesand an icebag over his head most of the day.
The nurses’ report also states: " Have Dr. Kite see show Dr. William Pickett, 644 Madison Avenue, ordered that a metymid solution be eye-dropped into both his eyes every two hours.
Metymid is a new anti-bacterial drug that contains cortisone and a sulfa-type compound that is specifically used for cornea abrasions and eye inflammations.
Doctor’s Report
Dr. Pickett’s report states: "chief complaint: injury in both eyes. Was allegedly given by blows. Edema (bruises) both eyelids. Abrasions both corneas. Both eyes have abrasions
of cornea. I do not directly observe any neurological abnormalities but in view of the circumstances a surgical evaluation should be done. Thank you. W.E. P."
The hospital’s report on the first day of Mr. Clark’s confinement says: "Stretcher patient admitted. Both eyes covered. Both eyes stinging. Only took coffee for breakfast. (Nurse) M. Burns. Dressings to both eyes applied. 11 a.m. X-rays 12:30 p.m. Siderails, both eyes covered."
Dr. Pickett’s examination report states: "5-31-62 3 p.m. Findings -- Abrasions both corneas and edema both eyelids. Slight abrasion over dorsal aspect (top of foot)."
On June 2, his report for X-ray of left foot. Eye drops ‘every two hours.’ W.E.P.