Government May Seek Court Order to Impose Medical Treatment on Muth

The D.C. Office of the Attorney General may seek a court order to authorize medical treatment to keep Albrecht Muth;s self-imposed, two-month long fast from further deteriorating his health or causing his death.

In a statement give to Washingtonian, the OAG wrote:

While Albrecht Muth’s condition is being constantly monitored by medical staff, the District of Columbia’s agencies are working closely with doctors, hospitals, and the court to determine the proper course of action. The District is going to take steps to seek a court order authorizing any needed provision of nutrients and healthcare to avoid harm or death to Mr. Muth.

Muth, 47, is charged in the strangling death of his 91-year-old wife, Viola Drath. At a hearing in November, Muth advised the court of his intention to begin an "unlimited fast" on Nov. 20, 2011. Since that time the that Muth has been refusing food.

He recently wrote a letter to D.C. Superior Court asserting his right to refuse any and all medical treatment. Since that time he has been hospitalized at United Medical Center because of conditions related to his fast.

Thursday, Judge Russell F. Canan temporarily because of his deteriorated physical and mental state. The judge re-appointed the defense attorneys for whom Muth has show such disdain, having .

The move by the office of the attorney general would go against Muth's hand-written request that, "Under no circumstances whatsoever am I to be given medical treatment."

But, Thursday, Judge Canan told the court that Muth's condition was "grave" and, given the OAG's statement, it would appear the D.C. government wants to prevent his death, despite his requests to the contrary.

Muth has claimed that his . He has also , claiming the undergarments are not part of his military uniform. At the November hearing, he claimed his wife’s murder was carried out as a .

The court called for another meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 14 to discuss the Muth's health as it relates to case proceedings.