A 21-year-old Ohio man named Brandon Rutherford recently revealed that a judge told him he must get vaccinated against COVID-19 or face jail time.
During a sentencing hearing in a Hamilton County court, judge Christopher Wagner ordered Rutherford to get vaccinated within 60 days as part of a condition of his probation for being in possession of fentanyl.
The judge went on to say, “I’m just a judge, not a doctor, but I think the vaccine’s a lot safer than fentanyl, which is what you had in your pocket.” The judge continued, “You’re going to maintain employment. You’re not going to be around a firearm. I’m going to order you, within the next two months, to get a vaccine and show that to the probation office.” If he violates the condition of the probation, he could be sent to state prison for up to 18 months.
Rutherford spoke to CNN, noting he doesn’t agree with the judge. He said, “Because I don’t take a shot they can send me to jail? I don’t agree with that. I’m just trying to do what I can to get off this as quickly as possible, like finding a job and everything else. But that little thing (COVID vaccine) can set me back.” Rutherford noted he has no plans on listening to the judge’s orders in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine. “I’m not taking the vaccine,” said Rutherford.
When speaking on his decision towards Rutherford, the judge said, “Judges make decisions regularly regarding a defendant’s physical and mental health, such as ordering drug, alcohol, and mental health treatment.”
source: CNN
