The murder trial of former Mount Carmel doctor William Husel resumed today for its fifth week. Husel is charged with murdering 14 patients by prescribing fatal doses of painkillers.
Testimony began with another family member of one of the patients who died while under Husel's care.
Christine Allison, widow of Troy Allison, testified about the circumstances surrounding his death and why she questioned procedures and the painkiller doses he received. Under cross-examination, defense attorney Diane Menashe confronted Allison.
Menashe asked Allison, “…you have a vested interest in the case, do you not?”
“Um, he killed my husband,” Allison responded.
Menashe replied, “And I realize that’s your belief…” to which Allison responded, “No, it’s not my belief, that’s what happened. I was there, you were not.”
Tampa anesthesiologist and critical care physician Dr. John Schweiger also testified. During direct examination, Schweiger explained critical care standards for patients.
"First, the vast majority of the patients in the ICU either can't speak because they have a breathing tube in their throat and in their airway or they're sedated with medication which makes it impossible for them to communicate," said Schweiger.
Dr. John Schweiger answered the prosecution's question on whether documentation and protocol of a patient mattered in those critically ill. Schweiger said it was essential to deliver appropriate care in the ICU.
"You take the number of diagnoses that you have for the patient, and you put the most important one first. The one that really needs to be addressed because it could threaten the life or well-being of the patient. And then you prioritize them from most important to least important," said Schweiger.
