Medical Manslaughter Trial Begins in Australia

The trial of Dr. Jayant Patel got underway in a Queensland Supreme Court courtroom on March 21, 2010. The proceedings began with the prosecutor outlining the allegations against the surgeon who has been dubbed “Dr. Death.”

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One count of manslaughter arises from the death of Mervyn Morris, 75, in May 2003. Morris complained of rectal bleeding but a colonoscopy revealed no source of the bleeding. Patel removed part of Morris’ bowel anyway and it was later found to be healthy. The patient later died and it was found that he received improper post-operative care; care that was supervised by Patel. Dr. Patel also operated on the esophagus of 77-year-old Gerald Kemp. Kemp later died from internal bleeding that Patel had failed to diagnose. More...