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The former Mount Carmel anesthesiologist faces 14 counts of murder after prosecutors say he ordered excessive doses of painkillers that hastened the deaths of patients.

Closing arguments in William Husel murder trial expected Monday

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)
Fred Squillante
/
AP
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)

The jury in the William Husel murder trial could start deliberations soon if closing arguments in the delayed case begin Monday as planned.

Nearly two weeks after the defense rested its case, attorneys for the county and the former Mount Carmel doctor charged with 14 counts of murder are now expected to present the jury with their closing arguments, which were rescheduled four times by the court.

The delay, at least in part, can be attributed to a sealed action filed with the Ohio Supreme Court seeking the removal ofFranklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Holbrook. Because the action is sealed, information about who filed it, what it stated and other information is unavailable to the public.

Prosecutors presented more than 50 witnesses during the trial, which began in February. The defense offered just one witness. Husel did not take the stand.

Husel is accused of issuing prescription doses that were too high, killing patients. He's pleaded not guilty.

Renee Fox is a reporter for 89.7 NPR News.