Editorial: Solomon needed in transplant case

Tuesday, March 3, 1998 | 11:10 a.m.

John Bair, who has been on a transplant waiting list for the past year, received a 12- to 30-month sentence last week for felony drunken driving. Bair had been wearing a beeper to alert him when a liver becomes available for a transplant, but inmates are not allowed to wear beepers in prison.

In addition, Glen Whorton, a spokesman for the Nevada Department of Prisons, indicated Bair won't be allowed to go to the San Francisco hospital where he's on the waiting list for a transplant. "He's in the custody of the Department of Prisons and we don't send inmates out of state for medical treatment," Whorton said.

At first blush, the Sparks resident doesn't evoke much sympathy, and it's easy to understand the sentiments of Laurel Stadler, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Northern Nevada. "If he chose not to obey those laws, he surely should have been convicted and sentenced immediately and done his time, regardless of other problems, be they medical, family or other," Stadler said.

On the other hand, it's important to note Bair did not kill anyone. In effect, not permitting Bair to travel to get an operation could have the same effect as a death sentence. Bair's case elicits more questions than answers, and it will take someone with the wisdom of Solomon to come up with a fair and compassionate solution.