Judge Demands New Evidence In Charlie Gard Hearing

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By Jack Crowe

A U.K. High Court judge demanded to see new evidence concerning Charlie Gard’s condition soon Friday, as the legal battle over the infant’s life stretches on.

Justice Francis, presiding over Gard’s case, told Gard’s parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, that he would need to see new material and medical findings concerning the possibility of Gard’s improvement with treatment soon, according to The Telegraph. Francis initially ordered Gard to be taken off life supportin April over the protests of his parents, who requested to take Gard to the U.S. to be treated.

Dr. Michio Hirano, of Columbia University, examined Gard Monday and Tuesday and will present his findings to the court next week. Francis, however, said he would need to know if there is any new material and, if so, what difference it would make in Gard’s condition.

Barrister Grant Armstrong, legal representation for Gard’s parents, told Francis that Gard had undergone several brain scans in the last few days to determine whether or not Gard had structural brain damage. Armstrong claimed that the team of international medical experts who examined Gard expressed varying opinions. Francis countered, saying that medical experts had displayed “considerable amount of agreement.”

Friday’s pre-hearing will decide logistics and direction for next week’s full hearings, according to ABC. The court is expected to deliver a final ruling for Gard’s case next week.

U.S. lawmakers granted Gard permanent U.S. residency Tuesday, meaning that Gard’s parents no longer need permission from U.K. doctors to seek treatment for their son in the U.S. The U.K. High Court barred Gard and his parents from traveling to the U.S., however, before the U.S. granted Gard residency. The fate of Charlie Gard will be decided next week.

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