10/07/09 - Lauderdale County
Dr. Magee Faces Judge
By: Mallory Cooke and Keli McAlister
mcooke@wbbjtv.com; kmcalister@wbbjtv.com
8:42 p.m.
Dr. Robert Magee, 58, stood before a judge and was officially charged with attempted rape and sexual battery, Wednesday.
The allegations against Dr. Magee are hard to believe for Theresa Reed. She has been one of his patients for more than a decade. "I would describe him as a good man, a gentleman," said Reed. "If you had a problem, you could talk to him about it.
"But according to investigators, Magee is not the man Reed thinks he is. TBI agents believe Magee tried to rape a woman from Halls, who was one of his patients, during business hours at his clinic in Ripley. "I can't believe it," said Reed. She said she will continue to use Dr. Magee as her physicians because she believes he is innocent.
"Somebody is telling a lie on Dr. Magee because he's a good man," said Shun Peat. Peat is also a patient. "I don't think it's true. Dr. Magee would never do anything like that," he argued.
Dr. Robert Magee, 58, stood before a judge and was officially charged with attempted rape and sexual battery, Wednesday.
The charges come more than a year after the investigation began. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, agents took over the investigation after another agency first looked into the alleged incident from Sept. 19, 2008. The TBI present its evidence to a Lauderdale County grand jury, Monday.
The allegations against Dr. Magee are hard to believe for Theresa Reed. She has been one of his patients for more than a decade. "I would describe him as a good man, a gentleman," said Reed. "If you had a problem, you could talk to him about it.
"But according to investigators, Magee is not the man Reed thinks he is. TBI agents believe Magee tried to rape a woman from Halls, who was one of his patients, during business hours at his clinic in Ripley. "I can't believe it," said Reed. She said she will continue to use Dr. Magee as her physicians because she believes he is innocent.
"Somebody is telling a lie on Dr. Magee because he's a good man," said Shun Peat. Peat is also a patient. "I don't think it's true. Dr. Magee would never do anything like that," he argued.
As for Reed, she believes someone is framing Magee. She thinks it could even be racially motivated. "He's the only African-American doctor we have here. I guess they want the business to close." Reed believes the truth will come out. "Whoever is doing this needs to stop because he is a good doctor."
Dr. Magee also has practiced in Dyersburg. However, his clinic there closed more than a year ago.
Dr. Magee also has practiced in Dyersburg. However, his clinic there closed more than a year ago.
According to the Tennessee Board of Medicine, Magee's file shows now prior violations. A representatives said Wednesday the board is "reviewing its options" in regards to whether Magee will keep his medical license.
Magee's trial is set to begin February 22.