In a case that has disturbed the Boston community, former medical assistant Damien Knighton has been convicted on six charges of indecent assault and battery, a jury finding him guilty yesterday of offenses against patients under his care at the Massachusetts General Hospital Back Bay Health Center. Knighton was acquitted of one additional charge, according to WCVB, Knighton, 41, is scheduled for sentencing on March 14 after a series of events starting with his arrest in January 2023 when he was first charged with raping and indecently assaulting a patient following up on a leg and shoulder injury, the initial sexual misconduct coming to light after the victim questioned the validity of the unexpected examination.
The string of abuses described in the trial highlighted Knighton's method of convincing patients to undergo unnecessary and invasive exams, leading one victim to contact authorities post-assault, his doubt arousing after Knighton approached him with a conveniently timed request for an additional test and ensuing inappropriate touching, as further detailed in a report by NBC Boston.
Defense attorney Steven Sack contended that evidence against Knighton was rooted in accusations rather than hard evidence, telling the jury that there were "no fingerprint, no forensic evidence and no credible evidence," but the jury's conviction came down solidly against the former technician, in a statement obtained by WCVB, the hospital, though currently facing litigation, affirmed that their standards were up to industry codes and expressed solidarity with the victims, who have now filed lawsuits against Mass General, Attorney Tyler Fox, representing two of the patients, highlighted the importance of his clients' courage in exposing the crimes in an interview with WCVB.
Both Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden and Mass General Brigham institution commended the victims for their bravery, with Hayden expressing gratitude "for the victims who bravely recounted Damien Knighton’s actions" and confirming the thorough work of the prosecution team in securing justice, Mass General Brigham added their own acknowledgment of the survivors' strength, and these announcements of support were echoed in both WCVB and NBC Boston reports, reflecting widespread condemnation of Knighton's betrayal of trust in a space meant for healing and care.
