Former Snohomish chiropractor Douglas Durwood Duncan, 53, was sentenced to eight years behind bars Thursday following his conviction in May of one count of second-degree rape for inappropriate touching of a female patient.
During his Snohomish County Superior Court trial, Duncan was acquitted of three separate charges of indecent liberties for similar touching. In a separate trial, he was acquitted of second-degree assault for pointing a shotgun in the direction of a cleaning woman.
The sex conviction will require him to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison.
In addition, the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission in Olympia has suspended his license and now is expected to begin proceedings to revoke it.
A spokeswoman said an order revoking Duncan’s license probably will be considered by the commission on Sept. 23
Defense attorney Lorne Grier told Judge Anita Farris that he had more than 50 letters from former patients, family members and friends supporting Duncan.
“Many people are completely satisfied with his chiropractic treatment,” Grier said.
Deputy prosecutor Matt Baldock recommended the eight-year term, just six months less than the top end of the sentencing range.
In addition to the women involved in the trial, Baldock said he has 10 witness statements from women who came forward following news accounts of the case. They alleged abuse by Duncan, some more than 20 years ago.
One of those women was in the courtroom for the sentencing.
She said she was 15 when she was abused by Duncan 23 years ago, and seeing the chiropractor sentenced gave her a sense of closure, she said. However, she added that the sentencing won’t restore what he took from her.
The woman and two others who were involved in the trial asked that their names not be used.
The woman Duncan raped said her experience taught her to take care of herself.
“I’ll never be a victim again,” she said.
All three women said they believe Duncan violated a trust when they went to him for treatment and he touched them inappropriately.
Although the sentence was set at eight years, that could be a minimum penalty under state law governing sex offenses. The state Indeterminant Sentencing Review Board can keep convicted sex offenders behind bars beyond their terms if they are deemed a danger to the community.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.