Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 27, 1992 TAG: 9202270264
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA LENGTH: Medium
DOCTOR ADMITS DONATING SPERM
Cecil Jacobson - the infertility doctor charged with 52 counts of fraud and perjury - acknowledged from the witness stand on Wednesday that he sometimes used his own sperm to artificially inseminate his patients, but insisted there was nothing wrong with the practice.And "it is my firm testimony that I did not lie" to them about donor identities, Jacobson testified during his second day on the stand. "I was never that frequently used as a donor."
The defense rested its case after Jacobson's testimony. After hearing from additional prosecution witnesses and closing arguments, the jury is expected to begin deliberations today.
Under cross-examination by prosecutor Randy Bellows, Jacobson said he did not commit perjury in a 1989 sworn statement in which he said he did not donate sperm to his own patients.
"That was done to protect the anonymity of my patients," the doctor said. "That was a correct truthful answer at that time."
Prosecutors have said Jacobson fathered up to 75 children by his patients, and submitted genetic test reports in 15 such cases.
"Do I think I was the donor for that many?" Jacobson said. "The answer is definitely no."
Jacobson disputed the genetic tests used by the prosecution, saying in some cases information had been changed.
He said he initially began donating sperm to his patients at George Washington University Hospital when a donor did not show up and a patient was ready for insemination.
He said he began donating sperm more frequently when he moved his practice to suburban Vienna and had trouble lining up donors.
Asked by defense attorney James Tate whether there was anything wrong with the practice, Jacobson said, "Absolutely not or I would not have done it."
Ten artificial-insemination patients have testified that Jacobson promised to closely match anonymous donors with their husbands' physical characteristics.