Prosecution rests in trial of Ohio doctor charged in deaths
Prosecution rests in trial of Ohio doctor charged in deaths
William Husel stands during a short break in his trial on Tuesday., Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Defendant William Husel, center, heads for the courtroom with his wife, Mariah, right, and his attorney, Jose Baez, left, on Tuesday., Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Judge Michael Holbrook presides over the William Husel trial during opening statements on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Prosecutors Janet Grubb and David Zeyen look at charts that the defense will use for its opening statement at the William Husel trial on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. Dr. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Prosecutors David Zeyen, left, and Janet Grubb, right, confer as defense attorney Jose Baez, top right, makes the opening statement during the William Husel trial on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. Dr. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Defense attorney Jose Baez waits for the jury to return after a short break in the William Husel trial on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. Dr. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
William Husel stands during a short break in his trial on Tuesday., Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
William Husel stands during a short break in his trial on Tuesday., Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Defendant William Husel, center, heads for the courtroom with his wife, Mariah, right, and his attorney, Jose Baez, left, on Tuesday., Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Defendant William Husel, center, heads for the courtroom with his wife, Mariah, right, and his attorney, Jose Baez, left, on Tuesday., Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Judge Michael Holbrook presides over the William Husel trial during opening statements on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Judge Michael Holbrook presides over the William Husel trial during opening statements on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Prosecutors Janet Grubb and David Zeyen look at charts that the defense will use for its opening statement at the William Husel trial on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. Dr. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Prosecutors Janet Grubb and David Zeyen look at charts that the defense will use for its opening statement at the William Husel trial on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. Dr. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Prosecutors David Zeyen, left, and Janet Grubb, right, confer as defense attorney Jose Baez, top right, makes the opening statement during the William Husel trial on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. Dr. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Prosecutors David Zeyen, left, and Janet Grubb, right, confer as defense attorney Jose Baez, top right, makes the opening statement during the William Husel trial on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. Dr. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Defense attorney Jose Baez waits for the jury to return after a short break in the William Husel trial on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. Dr. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
Defense attorney Jose Baez waits for the jury to return after a short break in the William Husel trial on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at the Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. Husel, an Ohio doctor, is charged in multiple hospital deaths. Dr. He is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.(Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, Pool)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Prosecutors on Tuesday wrapped up their case in the weeks-long trial of an Ohio doctor accused in multiple hospital deaths.
Dr. William Husel is accused of ordering excessive painkillers for 14 patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System. He was indicted in cases involving at least 500 micrograms of the powerful painkiller fentanyl.
Prosecutors said ordering such dosages for a nonsurgical situation indicated an intent to end lives. Husel has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of murder and has said through his attorneys that he was providing comfort care for dying patients, not trying to kill them.
Jurors seated for the trial have heard from 53 prosecution witnesses since the trial began Feb. 22, including medical experts, Mount Carmel employees, investigators, and family members of all 14 patients.
The defense was expected to begin questioning witnesses Wednesday.
Mount Carmel has reached settlements totaling more than $16.7 million over the deaths of at least 17 patients, with more lawsuits pending.