Call Kurtis Investigates: TV Doctor Faces Patients in Court

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — During an awkward 45 minutes before the unlocking of the courtroom doors, Dr. James Martin stood feet from a group of his former patients and stared into his phone.

As reporters questioned him about the charges against him, he softly replied that his attorney wouldn't allow him to speak with us.

However, his former patients who went to him after seeing his regular paid segments on KXTV's morning show Sac & Co, had a lot to say.

"Anybody that can prey on sick people are the worst of the worst," said former patient Barbara Graham.

She said she went to Dr. Martin for a thyroid issue.

"He was going to cure me," she said. "With his snake oil and potions, he took my money."

Patient Louisa Boudreau went to him for an autoimmune condition. After $7,000, she says he made her condition worse.

"I just want him to own up to what he did and have it where he cannot do that to anyone anymore," she said.

Martin, who is a chiropractor faces twelve felony counts including practicing medicine without a license, and grand theft for taking thousands of dollars from eleven patients.

Martin claimed he was a Doctor of Pastoral Medicine, but it is not recognized in California.

According to civil case filed against him, former patients allege Martin told some of them they showed signs of Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and dementia.

Outside court, his attorney Don Masuda would not address those claims, but said Martin was seeing patients under his Chiropractor's license.

A judge reversed an initial order that kept Martin from practicing as a Chiropractor.

The Attorney General's office agreed to allow it, as long as Martin works under the supervision of Chiropractor Scott Kremer who has a practice in Red Bluff and Redding. Martin also agreed to limit his practice to consultations, reviewing X-rays and performing adjustments.

He is scheduled to reappear in court in September.