A man awaiting trial on second-degree murder was released on his own recognizance as a last-ditch effort by the county to side-step his mounting medical costs, including the possible amputation of his left leg.
Joseph Boldt, 22, has bounced back and forth between the county jail and area hospitals repeatedly since his March 2003 arrest for a wrong-way police chase that ended in a fatal crash. Ongoing medical problems caused by injuries Boldt suffered in the collision forced the postponement of his jury trial a half-dozen times and may ultimately lead to an amputation of an infected leg. Doctors are making one more attempt to save the limb during the last week of October, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
The county has pushed unsuccessfully for months to turn Boldt's medical liability to the state Medicare program because his million-dollar care is taxing local resources. Recently, Judge Mark Forcum granted the request and Boldt was released on his own.
Ultimately taxpayers will continue paying for Boldt's care as a Medi-Cal patient, but the "pot is a little bigger" at the state level, Wagstaffe said.
Under the terms of the release, Boldt must stay at San Mateo Medical Center while awaiting trial on charges he unintentionally killed a friend riding in his car during the chase.
Boldt pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter, felony driving under the influence, evading a police officer and possession of drug paraphernalia in the March 16, 2003 death of Bobby Luke Kleinheinz. Kleinheinz rode in the passenger seat of Boldt's car while Millbrae police chased them 18 miles south on the northbound side of Interstate 280. The chase ended when Boldt's Nissan truck slammed into another vehicle, injuring the other driver and ejecting Kleinheinz. The chase also caused two other car accidents.
Boldt returns to court the first week of November for an update on his health and to set a new trial date.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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