Lawton doctor seeks to delay jury trial for sex crime allegations

The lawyer for a Lawton doctor scheduled to be tried on the July/August jury trial docket filed a motion to continue his trial on Thursday due to the unavailability of a defense witness.

Mack K. Martin, from the Martin Law Office in Oklahoma City, filed the motion on behalf of Dr. Bali Reddy Sodam, 59, of Lawton, over for trial for felony counts of sexual battery and indecent exposure, records indicate. The crimes are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

In Martin’s motion, it was revealed Sodam has retained an expert witness in Dr. William Miller who claims to provide “critical testimony” directly refuting the testimony and statements of the woman who said Sodam acted inappropriately during a doctor’s visit.

Miller is booked to go on a prepaid fishing trip to Alaska between Aug. 15 and 25, according to the motion. He also has an Oklahoma City medical practice and is scheduled to work until the day of his departure. Miller doesn’t have any conflicts for the October/November jury trial docket.

District Judge Scott D. Meaders had not ruled on the motion as of Thursday.

Sodam was charged in June 2022 for allegations he exposed himself and sexually abused a patient during a Jan. 14, 2022, examination at his office at Comanche Nephrology, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

Following the woman’s and other complaints made to the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, a partial agreement was reached with Sodam for restrictions on his license. He can only see patients via telemedicine under supervision. The hearing regarding his full licensure is pending the outcome of the criminal complaints in Comanche County.

Records indicate Sodam’s medical license expires on Nov. 1.

The State Board’s action followed three allegations: one regarding Sodam’s conduct at his office at Comanche Nephrology, 4417 W. Gore, Suite No. 1, as well as two others stemming from claims of sexual harassment and misconduct at Comanche County Memorial Hospital, according to the complaints.

Sodam lost his privileges with Comanche County Memorial Hospital when the third complaint was filed in February 2022, according to hospital officials. He also is no longer affiliated with Southwestern Medical Center.

Separately, Sodam had two civil cases pending in Comanche County District Court. One case filed for medical negligence in September 2022 by Gary Richards against Sodam, Comanche Nephrology, Memorial Hospital, Dr. Ricardo Aguilar and several other individuals identified as John and Jane Does as well as John Doe companies was dismissed without prejudice in December 2022, records indicate. The case was dismissed without prejudice on June 7 and could be reinstated at a future date.

The second case filed by Leslie Whiles, Dr. Magdalena Sikora and New Directions Dialysis LLC in October 2022, accuses Sodam of defamation/slander. Civil relief of more than $10,000 is sought in this pending case.

Sodam remains free on $25,000 bail since his initial court appearance July 7, 2022.