Psychiatrist Douglas Rank sentenced to 15 years prison for stabbing patient with sword

December 21, 2010

A former Covington (Kentucky) psychiatrist will spend 15 years in prison for stabbing one of his patients with a sword.

Douglas Rank was sentenced in a Kenton County courtroom on Tuesday. He pleaded guilty in October to stabbing Misty Luke at his former office on West Pike Street.

Luke was found lying outside of the office with two life-threatening stab wounds to her chest in February. Two bystanders told police they saw Rank standing over her with the sword. She was taken to University Hospital and has since recovered.

It was reported that Luke and Rank had a personal relationship prior to the stabbing. He was originally charged with attempted murder, but pleaded guilty to first-degree assault.

Rank's practice was investigated in 2007 after he allegedly over-medicated a patient.  He was also disciplined by the medical board for having sex with a patient.

Source: Amanda Woodruff, "Doctor sentenced for stabbing woman with sword," Kentucky Post, December 21, 2010.