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Devil Rays To Furnish Dukes' Medical Records

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By THOMAS W.  KRAUSE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2007

TAMPA - A week after Catherine Real said she had concerns that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were trying to conceal a report that might include steroid use by Elijah Dukes, a team lawyer said there was no attempt to conceal.

The lawyer said to avoid problems with medical privacy laws, he would give a copy of the report to Dukes, who was then ordered to give a copy to his ex-wife's lawyer by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Real, who represents Dukes' estranged wife, NiShea Dukes, said she would review the report. If she finds something relevant, she said, she would make it part of the case file, and it would become public.

She said she is going to have an addiction specialist review the report because some testing for steroids can be masked.

Today was also one of the most emotional days in the Dukes' divorce.

NiShea Dukes told the judge that her children were upset that they could not see their father and were often crying out for him. She said she understands Elijah Dukes is in therapy and taking medication. If that is the case, he is a "wonderful father."

Elijah Dukes broke down in tears.

NiShea Dukes said she wanted to drop a domestic violence injunction that prevents him from seeing her and the children. She said she wanted Elijah Dukes to have supervised visits with his children.

Elijah Dukes was not happy with that arrangement and said if she doesn't trust him with his own children, he doesn't want visitation or custody.

NiShea Dukes, he said, can play both mother and father.

Elijah Dukes then accused his wife's attorney of manipulating her.

After a brief break, NiShea Dukes said she would allow her estranged husband to have unsupervised visits with his children.

Although the injunction wasn't dropped, the couple can speak to each other on the phone and see each other face to face when they exchange the children for visits.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com

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