Bat-wielding doctor loses license

Michael Patrick Smith of Encinitas lost his medical license last month, according to the Medical Board of California. He did not dispute the board's account of his behavior.

On July 21 of 2012, Smith's neighbors were having a wedding party. Angry at alleged illegal parking, Smith called the sheriff's department several times. The neighbors had put chairs in front of a fire hydrant. The next morning, Smith took a baseball bat to the chairs, damaging several of them. He also charged a guest at the previous night's party with the baseball bat, said, "I'll kill you," and spat in his face. The police came and noticed alcohol on Smith's breath.

Smith pleaded guilty to one charge. On March 10, 2013, he suffered a stroke that impaired his ability to communicate and made it difficult for him to use his right arm. A doctor examined him and said he was not fit to practice medicine.