An Ohio doctor who was accused of killing patients with fentanyl has been acquitted.
This past Wednesday, 46-year-old William Husel was acquitted in the murders of 14 patients who overdosed on the opioid drug fentanyl between 2014 and 2018. Prior to his arrest, Husel worked at Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus. He started working at Mount Carmel Health System in 2013, and in June 2019, he was charged with 25 counts of murder.
The charges came after two hospital pharmacists issued reports over their concerns that Husel was prescribing patients with strangely high doses of fentanyl. In one instance, Husel reportedly gave a patient a dose of fentanyl that was 20 times higher than what was recommended, according to the Food and Drug Administration, Franklin County prosecutors. The New York Times reports Husel would sometimes prescribe these high doses – described as “comfort medication” – to his severely ill patients.
On Wednesday, Husel was acquitted after a review of the evidence by the jury.
“The jury, after review of all the evidence, was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that William Husel was guilty of any charges submitted to them,” said G. Gary Tyack. “We accept the jury verdict.” While Franklin County prosecutors argue that Husel was abusing patients rather than providing them with comfort to patients who don’t have much longer to live.
There were 35 cases involving Dr. Husel that were evaluated over suspicion from Mount Carmel. Husel was acquitted of 14 counts of murder.
“This verdict speaks to not only William, but to all of those doctors and nurses out there who are attempting their best to give comfort care in a very difficult situation,” Mr. Baez said. “They don’t need to be looking over their shoulders, wondering if they’re ever going to get charged with a crime.”
