Dr. William Burke, a renowned gynecologist from Stony Brook University Cancer Center, plans to press criminal charges against the man who violently slapped him during a medical conference last month. However, he chose not to address the attacker’s claims of alleged sexual assault against his wife in 2016, Your Content has learned.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com outside his residence in Setauket, Long Island, Dr. Burke, 53, firmly stated his intention to pursue legal action against his assailant. When questioned about the allegations made by the angry man, Dr. Burke asserted that he didn’t know the attacker and refrained from commenting further. He referred all inquiries to a spokesperson from Stony Brook University but hinted, “There’s more to come.”
Video footage capturing the assault at the May 20 conference in Baltimore quickly went viral. Dr. Burke, the director of gynecologic oncology, described the incident as an evident assault, emphasizing the clarity of the video evidence. While tending to his backyard garden, the physician declined to provide personal details regarding the accused individual or any potential connection to his wife.
Initially hesitant to press charges, Dr. Burke now has up to a year to change his mind, as confirmed by a Baltimore police spokesman. If he decides to proceed, he would need to submit a new statement of charges to the city’s Court Commissioner’s Office, outlining the incident. Police, armed with the video evidence, would then proceed with an arrest and likely charge the perpetrator with common assault, a misdemeanor carrying a maximum jail term of one year.
The assault occurred during Dr. Burke’s participation as a panelist at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in Baltimore. The attack, captured by the room’s acoustics and nearby microphone, resulted in a widespread outcry as the slaps resounded throughout the meeting room. The video footage reveals the assailant grabbing Dr. Burke’s shirt before delivering the forceful blows.
Amidst the attack, the enraged man accused Dr. Burke of sexually assaulting his wife seven years ago in New York. He further expressed his anger towards men who harm women in such a manner, claiming that his wife had suffered due to Dr. Burke’s alleged predatory actions. Despite calls for security, the attacker remained defiant, even challenging the authorities.
ACOG, recognizing the distress caused to witnesses of the incident, both in person and online, issued an apology and condemned violence of any kind. They assured that security protocols were followed, and plainclothes security personnel and the Baltimore Police Department promptly addressed the situation.
Although the doctor declined to file a report against the assailant, opting for his removal from the premises, the incident prompted a police investigation into the physical assault, according to New York Post.
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