Jury Selected in Case Against Former Ohio Doctor Accused of Deliberately Killing Patients

After three days of jury selection, twelve jurors have been seated in the trial against 46-year-old Dr. William Husel. Husel is facing 14 murder charges after being accused of 25 overdose deaths of patients.

Dr. Husel is bieng accused of of providing fatal doses of fentanyl to ill patients, as well as ordering excessive painkillers in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System between February 2015 and November 2018, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Prosecutors have said ordering such dosages for nonsurgical situations indicated an intent to kill his patients. Husel had pleaded not-guilty and claimed he was providing comfort for patients, not intentionally bringing them harm.

Husel initially was charged with 25 counts of murder. but Last month a judge agreed to dismiss 11 of the 25 counts which were brought in 2019 by a separate judge, per the prosecution’s request.

Judge Michael Holbrook has stated that the trial will be held four days a week. Last month, prosecutors stated they believe the trial will last seven weeks, the defense claim it will take eight weeks.

In the latest motion by the defense, Husel’s attorney’s requested Judge Holbrook prevent prosecutors from introducing evidence which could warrant lesser offenses, such as reckless homicide.

Jurors are expected to receive testimony of at least 50 prosecution witnesses, likely medical experts, as well as witnesses for the defense according to the Associated Press.

The Mount Carmel Health System has reached settlements with families of the victims totaling $16.7 million across 17 patients, with more lawsuits pending in litigation.