Judge may stay his ruling on inmate sex-change
By Brian Ballou | Globe Staff
November 20, 2012
http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/11/20/judge-may-stay-his-ruling-ordering-sex-change-operation-for-killer-pending-appeal/yBIWREVa84uOZ9NiPTdfbK/story.html (http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/11/20/judge-may-stay-his-ruling-ordering-sex-change-operation-for-killer-pending-appeal/yBIWREVa84uOZ9NiPTdfbK/story.html)
The US District Court judge who ruled earlier this year that a convicted killer must be allowed to undergo a sex-change operation at the state's expense said Monday he is leaning toward ordering a stay of the surgery pending an appeal of his ruling by the Patrick administration.
Judge Mark Wolf said he will make a final decision Tuesday on whether to suspend surgery for Michelle Kosilek pending the appeal. But in strong terms, he instructed the state Department of Correction to continue making arrangements for the procedure, including finding a suitable doctor and location.
Wolf cautioned the attorneys representing the state, saying delays on the part of the Correction Department in making arrangements for the surgery would amount to contempt of his order.
"I don't assume that officials are going to be in contempt of court orders," Wolf said. "It's very important they don't be. I know I've ordered something that is unpopular and misunderstood, but unless the order is reversed, it has to be obeyed."