KKK Incision Trial: Rapid City Regional Health Prevails

The federal jury has sided with Rapid City Regional Health in a civil case alleging that hospital employees were racially discriminatory in their treatment of a Native heart patient. Vernon Traversie, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, alleged that someone at the hospital carved the letters “K-K-K” onto his abdomen, handled him roughly, refused him pain medication, and didn’t prepare him adequately for aftercare. SDPB’s Victoria Wicks has followed this case since the allegations emerged.