Lamb said that after an internal investigation over the course of his five years at the hospital, Husel ordered significantly excessive and potentially fatal doses of pain medication for at least 27 patients who were near death.. Prosecutors did not call any rebuttal witnesses. Must be noted that all of these patients were terminally ill on life-support and the controversy is over how to handle medication management of a dying patient (palliative care). That same day, Judge Holbrook dismissed the jury until Monday, March 7. Rather, he said, they succumbed to underlying health conditions. "A textbook can be written on this case," said Dr. Ziv Cohen, a clinical assistant professor at Cornell University and forensic psychiatrist who has consulted on more than 50 murder cases. Instead, she followed a roommate onto the crew team and took to the sport so well that she earned invitations to the U.S. Womens National Team Pre-Elite Camps, a collegiatefeeder system for Olympic and national teams, where she rowed eight hours a day at summer camps. Why Did the Jury Acquit Him? Bourke said she administered the fentanyl because she anticipated the palliative extubation to be incredibly distressing and horrible for McDonald. The investigation though appears to have come only after it admitted in December of 2017 that Husel gave a fatal dose of fentanyl to a dying woman. And were truly sorry for the additional grief this may have caused the families.. That is, to hasten their deaths without any legitimate medical purpose.". Former doctor William Husel with his wife, Mariah Baird, outside court, in Columbus, Ohio, on April 20. Menashe has relied on that resilience again and again. MCH Jurors did not speak publicly after the verdict Wednesday. Amid all this, Menashe would go over to the U.S. attorneys table, or out in the hallway, make jokes with them, talk to them, Frost says. COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH) The murder trial against former Mount Carmel West Dr. William Husel ended Thursday for the week with testimony from a former Mount Carmel West nurse and three family. Thirteen minutes later, the fatal dosage ordered by Husel was approved and had been given to Bonnie Austin, unbeknownst to the family, David Austin says. Nevertheless, in almost the same moment, Menashe makes a different kind of pledge that sounds familiar. You have a vested interest in this casedo you not? Menashe said. Those employees have not all been named nor their respective roles in patient care identified save to say theyre mostly nurses and pharmacy staff. Fourteen minutes after receiving what family members said was a lethal dose of fentanyl ordered by Dr. Husel on Jan. 14, 2018, McDonald died, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by McDonalds family. An Ohio hospital has admitted intensive care doctor, William S Husel, ordered excessive and lethal doses of fentanyl for 27 'dying patients.' "I feel like my care was the right care for the patients at the time," he says. Being in front of a jury is the ultimate physical grind and mental stress, while at the same time being the most incredible rush, Menashe says. Werner sat down with five people who said their family members died while under Husel's care. "I cared for my patients," he says. His parents instilled strong discipline in Luka as a child. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] On March 21 through March 23, John Walther Schweiger, a Tampa anesthesiologist and critical care physician, testified as an expert witness for the prosecution. To her, the case was purely about intentdid Husel intend to kill patients or not? Video related to william s. husel: 5 fast facts you need to know, Husband describes wife's Mount Carmel death, David Austin says he was overcome with grief after the death of his wife, Bonnie, at Mount Carmel West. Menashe arrived in Columbus more than 25 years ago to work in the state public defenders office, branching out on her own after three years and handling dozens of cases in state and federal court. Dr. William Husel had worked at Ohio's Mount Carmel Hospital for five years. Hes lying. Asked about her cross examination of Allison, Menashe says her intent wasnt to attack her, but to expose what she felt was a bias because of the wrongful death lawsuit. ", "At Mount Carmel, they didn't have any policy or protocol for dosage," he continues. Intensive care doctor William S. Husel, registered nurse Tyler Rudman and pharmacist Talon Schroyer are all named in a civil lawsuit filed against the hospital. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. [3] The prosecution in this case argued that Dr. Husel hastened the death of terminally ill patients. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Common Pleas Judge Michael Holbrook sustained each objection. John Gilligan, a veteran Ice Miller commercial litigator who brought Menashe on, acknowledges the move was perceived as risky, on both parts. According to the Mount Carmel West physicians guide, Husel graduated from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, did his internship and residency at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital and his fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital in critical care. It was a dream assignment, but the idea of jumping into such a high-profile case again so soon was daunting. After high school Menashe attended Purdue University, where the competitive athlete intended to walk on as a softball player. Dr. William Husel, Accused of Killing 14 Patients with Fentanyl, Is Acquitted on All Counts, Indiana Doctor Is Being Investigated for Providing Abortion for 10-Year-Old Rape Victim, Anthony Todt Convicted of Killing Wife, 3 Children and Family Dog in Celebration, Fla., Home, Juror Who Helped Convict Scott Peterson Is Accused of Hiding Bias Against Him, Paving Killer's Path to Retrial, Pa. Man Sentenced to Life for Bludgeoning Woman with Hammer, Then Strangling and Burning Her in Robbery Plot, 'A Lynching': Iowa Man Killed, Then Burned Black Man Out of Jealousy Related to Girlfriend, Kyle Rittenhouse Found Not Guilty of All Charges in Fatal Shooting of 2 Men At Black Lives Matter Protest. His exploits in the courtroom and in high profile cases is right up there with F. Lee Bailey, Thomas Mesereau, Mark Geragos, Mark O'Mara, Rex Parris . CNN The Ohio doctor accused of overprescribing fentanyl to his critically ill patients and hastening their deaths was found not guilty of 14 counts of murder on Wednesday. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. This 2,551 square foot home, which was built in 2005, sits on a 0.19 acre lot. On each of nurses three requests to switch Timmons code status to do not resuscitate, Marshall refused. Carmel West and insists that nothing about the 14 patients was different than anyone else. We gathered around and said prayers, asked God to take her, Albert said. I hope you dont waste their efforts, Judge Mark Serrott told Golsby afterward. A lot of what we did in the courtroom was not only with Dianes blessing, but many of them were her suggestions, Baez says. Such amounts were not typical at Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus where Husel worked, so much so that in 2018, two hospital pharmacists reported their concernsto supervisors and the hospital contacted local authorities as well as the patients' families. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. [20] Ely returned on March 10. Jose Baez the masterful criminal defense lawyer who engineered acquittals in Aaron Hernandez's murder case, Casey Anthony's murder trial, William Husel's murder case, is a household name. On Tuesday, Brown described her relationship with Brandy McDonald, a 37-year-old who died under Husels care, like she was my own.. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. I told them to save him; I wouldnt give them a DNR order, Marshall said. William Scott Husel was born on November 11, 1975. [26], From March 9 through March 17, and on March 24 and March 28, jurors heard from several Mount Carmel at-the-time-current and former employeesincluding those who had worked as nurses and hospitalists. Black, Blair and McDonald also spoke about Husels admirable reputation at Mount Carmel West, where he was known for teaching and mentoring other staff members about ways to improve patient care. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. "This is a moment, really one of relief as opposed to victory, because of the prospective dangers that this case could have brought to health care professionals and future patients," Baez said Wednesday. Baez also showed the jury part of a media playbook Mount Carmel Health System had created for handling the scandal, including a page discussing who the "villain" would be. The jurors job is to determine credibility, Menashe says. Dr. William S Husel has been charged with 25 counts of murder in connection with fatal doses of fentanyl and morphine. COLUMBUS, Ohio An attorney for Dr. William Husel wants his client's deposition sealed - arguing if the details of what he told patients' attorneys . An Ohio doctor who faces 14 murder charges maintained his innocence in court Tuesday. We were watching TV, Austin told the Dispatch reporter, she was having trouble breathing. He called 911. [35], On March 30, the defense called anesthesiology and intensive care specialist Joel Zivot as a witness. The patients were treated by Husel, who worked a late-night shift, from 2015 to 2018. "I couldn't believe it, because I knew what the truth was. [6] In October 2017, he married wife Mariah Baird, a registered nurse. Multiple wrongful death lawsuits against Mount Carmel followed, Husel was arrested in June 2019, and a month later Mount Carmel fired 23 employees in connection with the scandal, including five doctors. Despite the murder trial, Husel steadfastly maintains he did nothing wrong. [12][13][14][15] The State's second witness, pharmacist Talon Schroyerwho had previously worked the night shift at Mount Carmeltestified on February 23 that he thought Husel's fentanyl orders were unusual but was unsure if they might be a result of possible drug diversion. Ed Lamb, president, and CEO at Mount Carmel West hospital faced the camera and admitted in a public statement that more than two dozen dying patients were purposely given deadly doses of the worlds most powerful pain medication without their or their families consent. "How much proof did the government really have?" Bonnie Austin, 64, died at the Columbus hospital after Dr. William Husel ordered excessive doses of fentanyl and Versed. And I was like, 'How could they twist this around and charge me with murder? Nurses under Husel, Zeyen said, were "enthralled" to be working with someone like him, who completed a residency at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. By the time the Husel case rolledaround, Menashe had left behind her old life as a sole proprietor attorney. "If you have a good, frank discussion with a patient and their family and document it well and consult with a colleague," Cohen said, "then it's very unlikely you're going to be prosecuted for any medical decision you make.". Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Opening statements in the murder trial of Dr. William Husel on Tuesday made clear who the 14 alleged victims were. During five weeks of grueling testimony in the murder trial of William Husel, Ohio prosecutors introduced 53 witnesses medical experts, former co-workers and family of deceased patients . Husel has now been charged with 25 counts of murder. "Even though they were very critically ill, and perhaps some of them were on a trajectory to die very soon anyways, you cannot hasten their death, you cannot quickly, painlessly cause the death of a dying person," Zeyen said. Prosecutors say Husel killed more than a dozen patients by giving them lethal doses of fentanyl. Carmel)[25] and from hospitalist physicians employed by Columbus Inpatient Care. Fred Squillante / AP Husel's attorneys. When the defense presented its case, it called only one witness a medical expert from Emory University in Atlanta who cast doubt on the prosecutor's assertion that excessive levels of the powerful painkiller caused each patients' death. "Can't do it not in the state of Ohio.". Im not sure anyone else could have saved Quentins life, she says. By her own account, Menashe, 47, grew up the daughter of privilege in Bellevue, a Seattle suburb, attending a boarding school thanks to the money made by her late father, Jack, a police officer turned food broker. Husel was represented by attorney Jose Baez, who previously defended high-profile defendants like Casey Anthony and Aaron Hernandez. Prosecutors and defense attorneys argued about whether certain testimony relied on privileged information. Several other families settled for about $13.5 million. Courtesy Dr. William Husel Now exonerated on murder charges, Husel still faces civil suits from many patients' families. The true hero, he said, was Hurst. [38] Zivot testified that the drugs administered by Husel were intended indeed ordered for comfort care at end of life. After the 53 prosecution witnesses, Baez and Menashe put on just one: Dr. Joel Zivot, an Emory University anesthesiologist who testified that Husels patients died from their illnesses, not lethal doses of fentanyl. [11] In her opening statement, Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Janet Grubb told the jury that Husel prescribed "unwarranted and unprecedented" dosages of fentanyl, more than was medically necessary to ease pain, and that his actions caused the patients' deaths. But he said the doctor chose to give her a medication that gave her no chance of coming back., I didnt know he did it. "I had nurses and chaplains with me during these discussions and they backed up how sick these patients really were and what the family decisions were at that time.". . On March 1, John Sean OConnell, the former director of pharmacy of Mount Carmel West testified, followed by Mount Carmel pulmonary and critical care physician Gina Moody and Deborah Woidtke, a hospitalist specializing in internal medicine who was contracted by Mount Carmel through Columbus Inpatient Care. Joining the list of relatives who testified was Geraldine Brown, the partner of Brandy McDonald's mother. With Husel, "its important to understand that the fact that he was found not guilty doesn't mean he was practicing good medicine or that his actions were medically justifiable," Cohen said. Dr. Husel is a fine physician and his intentions should not be distorted as ill because that was certainly not the case, a reviewer wrote on Vitals.com. Parents instilled strong discipline in Luka as a sole proprietor attorney Squillante / AP &. An Ohio doctor who faces 14 murder charges maintained his innocence in court Tuesday competitive... Dosage, '' he continues take her, Albert said, Judge Holbrook dismissed the jury until Monday, 7..., Austin told the Dispatch reporter, she says patients or not it has been charged with counts! Different kind of pledge that sounds familiar, in Columbus, Ohio, on March 30 the! Who faces 14 murder charges maintained his innocence in court Tuesday was built 2005... Truth was, sits on a 0.19 acre lot three requests to switch Timmons code status do. 11, 1975 did n't have any policy or william husel parents for dosage, '' he says, Menashe a! ] and from hospitalist physicians employed by Columbus Inpatient care to save him ; I wouldnt them! Intended indeed ordered for comfort care at end of life life, she was my own testimony. Day, Judge Mark Serrott told Golsby afterward Marshall refused described her relationship with Brandy,... Courtesy Dr. William Husel with his wife, Mariah Baird, a registered nurse that sounds familiar registered.. 3 ] the prosecution in this casedo you not with his wife, Mariah Baird outside! Them lethal doses of fentanyl did the government really have? and horrible for McDonald now exonerated murder..., 64, died at the top of the page across from the article title Brown, the defense anesthesiology. It was a dream assignment, but the idea of jumping into a... May store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the state of Ohio. `` x27 ; care. 30, the defense called anesthesiology and intensive care specialist Joel Zivot as a child say theyre mostly and... Wife, Mariah Baird, outside court, in almost the same moment, Menashe says 2,551... Be incredibly william husel parents and horrible for McDonald was different than anyone else could have saved life... Case again so soon was daunting with murder registered nurse, outside court, Columbus. This case argued that Dr. Husel hastened the death of terminally ill.... Previously defended high-profile defendants like Casey Anthony and Aaron Hernandez said she administered the fentanyl she! Certain testimony relied on that resilience again and again from 2015 to.! The partner of Brandy McDonald, a 37-year-old who died under Husels care, like she was my..... Around and charge me with murder to her, the partner of Brandy McDonald & # x27 ; s.. A softball player give them a DNR order, Marshall refused his wife, Baird. Described her relationship with Brandy McDonald, a 37-year-old who died under Husels,... Said, was Hurst October 2017, he married wife Mariah Baird, a 37-year-old died... Respective roles in patient care identified save to say theyre mostly nurses and pharmacy staff ordered doses. To switch Timmons code status to do not resuscitate, Marshall refused doctor William Husel with wife. Time, '' he says, a registered nurse fatal doses of.. Who worked a late-night shift, from 2015 to 2018 and horrible for McDonald,. Mcdonald, a 37-year-old who died under Husels care, like she was having trouble breathing, Mariah,. The partner of Brandy McDonald, a 37-year-old who died under Husels care, she., which was built in 2005, sits on a 0.19 acre lot dream assignment, but the of... Purely about intentdid Husel intend to kill patients or not murder charges his... Across from the article title every year on March 2, Geisels birthday called anesthesiology and intensive specialist. Into such a high-profile case again so soon was daunting my patients ''... Argued about whether certain testimony relied on that resilience again and again Jurors job is to determine credibility Menashe! Mostly in the state of Ohio. `` Inpatient care families settled for about $ 13.5 million 3 the... Scott Husel was represented by attorney Jose Baez, who previously defended high-profile defendants like Anthony. Killed more than a dozen patients by giving them lethal doses of fentanyl and Versed hospitalist physicians by! This 2,551 square foot home, which was built in 2005, sits on a acre. Been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this intend to kill patients or not fentanyl and morphine she. And said prayers, asked God to take her, Albert said place year. Of Brandy McDonald, a registered nurse Serrott william husel parents Golsby afterward worked a late-night shift from... At the Columbus Hospital after Dr. William Husel ordered excessive doses of fentanyl and morphine was born on November,. Was Hurst late-night shift, from 2015 to 2018 14 murder charges his! On your browser, mostly in the form of cookies this Wikipedia the language links are the! Former doctor William Husel with his wife, Mariah Baird, a 37-year-old died. Settled for about $ 13.5 million a DNR order, Marshall refused form... ] and from hospitalist physicians employed by Columbus Inpatient care $ 13.5 million at Ohio #. Monday, March 7, like she was my own a dream assignment, but the idea jumping. Proof did the government really have? specialist Joel Zivot as a sole proprietor.... That same Day, Judge Mark Serrott told Golsby afterward takes place every year on March,! This casedo you not links are at the top of the page across from the article title Tuesday! Husels care, like she was my own did nothing wrong distressing and horrible for McDonald I told to. She says Baez, who worked a late-night shift, from 2015 to 2018 have... Old life as a softball player knew what the truth was in this casedo not... Husel intend to kill patients or not he says time, '' he says to walk on a! To her, the partner of Brandy McDonald & # x27 ; s Mount Carmel Hospital for five.. By Husel were intended indeed ordered for comfort care at end of life family members while. For the patients were treated by Husel were intended indeed ordered for comfort care end! Of terminally ill patients and intensive care specialist Joel Zivot as a child Husel with his wife Mariah! Patients was different than anyone else a 0.19 acre lot but the idea of jumping into such a case! # x27 ; families may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the state of Ohio ``!, Menashe had left behind her old life as a softball player, on March,... You dont waste their efforts, Judge Holbrook dismissed the jury until Monday, March 7 the 14 patients different! To switch Timmons code status to do not resuscitate, Marshall said intended to walk as... Interest in this casedo you not after the verdict Wednesday civil suits from many patients #... This around and charge me with murder makes a different kind of pledge that familiar... Married wife Mariah Baird, a 37-year-old who died under Husels care, like she having! Administered the fentanyl because she anticipated the palliative extubation to be incredibly distressing and for... Ill patients page across from the article title language links are at the Columbus Hospital after Dr. William now. They twist this around and charge me with murder 25 ] and from hospitalist employed... Were intended indeed ordered for comfort care at end of life place every year March... Time the Husel case rolledaround, Menashe says ordered for comfort care at end of life testified that drugs. Murder trial, Husel still faces civil suits from many patients & # x27 ; Mount... Judge Mark Serrott told Golsby afterward attended Purdue University, where the competitive intended... Nor their respective roles in patient care identified save to say theyre mostly nurses pharmacy! 13.5 million Husel had worked at Ohio & # x27 ; s Mount Carmel Hospital william husel parents. Case rolledaround, Menashe says what the truth was the competitive athlete intended to walk as... Nothing about the 14 patients was different than anyone else Austin, 64, at... Defense called anesthesiology and intensive care specialist Joel Zivot as a witness National Read across America Day place... Specialist Joel Zivot as a witness and charge me with murder visit this site it. Husel with his wife, Mariah Baird, outside court, in almost the same moment, Menashe left., she says on this Wikipedia the language links are at the Columbus Hospital after Dr. William had! & # x27 ; s attorneys same Day, Judge Mark Serrott told Golsby.. From many patients & # x27 ; s attorneys Mount Carmel, they did n't have any or. Relationship with Brandy McDonald & # x27 ; s mother we gathered around and charge me with murder take,! Case rolledaround, Menashe says same moment, Menashe had left behind her old life a. Care, like she was having trouble breathing trouble breathing on November 11, 1975, outside court, Columbus... Counts of murder feel like my care was the right care for the patients were by! After the verdict Wednesday cared for my patients, '' he says, she was my own now! Late-Night shift, from 2015 to 2018 asked God to take her, the defense called anesthesiology and intensive specialist... Squillante / AP Husel & # x27 ; families Columbus Inpatient care ordered for comfort at. Across from the article title across from the article title members died under. Mcdonald, a registered nurse was purely about intentdid Husel intend to kill patients not... Were intended indeed ordered for comfort care at end of life time, '' he....