Repeat patient accused of assaulting nurse, officer at Nashville hospital

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A repeat offender is accused of injuring a nurse and a police officer at Tri Star Centennial Medical Center over the weekend. Bail reform advocates want that to change.

In an affidavit, Metro Police said Officer Justin Ramos was injured by patient Arthurio Morris inside the medical center. He is also accused of punching assistant Marshall Tyler.

It’s wild. I mean, you think about what nurses do every day, saving lives, and they’re out there trying to help this person who’s totally turning against them,” said Verna Wyatt, co-founder of Tennessee Voices for Victims.

Police said it all happened on Sunday. They said Morris tried to leave the emergency room. They also said Officer Ramos and Tyler tried to stop him, but were injured while resisting. Officer Ramos, police said, was so badly injured his left knee gave way.

“They become the victims of a crime because he’s crazy. It’s ridiculous,” Wyatt said.

Court records show Morris is a repeat offender. He was charged with crimes ranging from robbery to attempted first degree murder.

He’s not a guy who squeaks by, has a rap sheet, attempted murder, so why are we letting him out on the street again?” Wyatt said.

However, he returned to the streets. His bail was set at less than $40,000. That means it can come out again if someone comes up with close to $4,000.

“I don’t know who this guy is, but I can tell you that when he gets back on the street he’s going to be back doing the exact same thing that sent him to the hospital in the first place.”

There is a bail reform panel Thursday night that will include judges and the district attorney at Clementine Hall 4710 Charlotte Ave. from nashville.

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