Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Pregnant Woman 'Trusted' Family Doctor Who Allegedly Raped Her

By Erin Meyer | January 15, 2013 8:23am
 More than 10 years after Chicago gynecologist Dr. Bruce S. Smith allegedly raped a pregnant patient, his accuser took the stand to testify in his criminal trial.
More than 10 years after Chicago gynecologist Dr. Bruce S. Smith allegedly raped a pregnant patient, his accuser took the stand to testify in his criminal trial.
View Full Caption
Cook County Sheriff's Department

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Chicago woman accusing her family doctor of rape while she was eight months pregnant took the stand in his criminal trial Monday, testifying that she "trusted" the gynecologist who previously delivered the woman's first child.

"He was somebody I trusted. He delivered my son," said the woman of the alleged incident, which occurred in 2002 when she was pregnant with her second child. 

"I put my life in his hands."

The woman testified that she had gone to see Dr. Bruce S. Smith — who also has been accused of rape by other women — more than a decade ago, complaining of pressure in her swollen belly. Smith was able to ease the pressure, possibly by turning the baby inside her, she told jurors.

Still laying on the examination table, her feet in stirrups, she claimed Smith put his hands on each of her knees and raped her.

"I am lying there with my eyes closed ... and thinking, 'Oh my God — is he doing what I think he's doing?'" she told the jury Monday. 

"Before he left out of the room he was like, 'OK, I'll see you next week,' like nothing happened."

Smith — a gynecologist who had treated patients at Michael Reese Hospital and Kennedy Medical Service Corp. in Chicago before moving to Streator, Ill., and opening a practice  was barred from practicing by state regulators in 2009 after several women lodged complaints against him.

He was accused of rape by numerous women dating back to 2000, but was not formally  charged by the Cook County State's Attorney's office with sexual assault until 2010.