Ruggs didn't have to appear in court Wednesday while his attorney, Richard Schonfeld, argued before Justice of the Peace Pro Tem Robert Walsh that although state law lets police and prosecutors obtain a report about his client's blood-alcohol level following the early Nov. 2 crash, it doesn't let a judge compel first-responders to testify about his physical condition.
Ruggs was seated in a wheelchair with a foam brace on his neck during his initial court appearance after the crash. His lower body was not visible behind a courtroom partition. Ruggs' attorney, David Chesnoff, said during a Nov. 22 alcohol ban compliance hearing that a leg cast had been removed. Ruggs now uses an ankle-wrapped monitoring device.
Kilgo-Washington's attorney, Peter Christiansen, said he'll appear in court Thursday to make a similar argument on her behalf.