Provo Daily Herald
Morphine overdose killer gets 15 years
By C.G. WALLACE
Associated Press Writer
FARMINGTON, Utah -- A psychiatrist who killed five
elderly patients with morphine overdoses was sentenced
Friday to 15 years in prison, half the term he had
faced.
Dr. Robert Weitzel, 44, was convicted in July of two
counts of manslaughter and three counts of negligent
homicide.
Weitzel, wearing a dark blue jail jumpsuit, appeared in
court shackled at the hands and feet. As he was led from
the courtroom, he stopped in front of a photographer and
defiantly said, "I'm not guilty."
Weitzel caused the deaths of five patients in the
geriatric-psychiatric unit he ran at the Davis Hospital
and Medical Center in Layton. All five died during a
16-day period from December 1995 to January 1996.
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors portrayed
Weitzel as a pompous man who refused to consult with
other doctors and ignored the law in addition to
hospital policies.
"There is no question in my mind that this was a crime
of arrogance," said Davis County Attorney Melvin Wilson.
Wilson asked Judge Thomas Kay to sentence Weitzel to a
maximum possible term of 30 years in prison.
Kay determined two 15-year terms, one for each
manslaughter count, and three one-year terms for the
negligent homicide convictions, would be served
concurrently.
The judge said prison was appropriate because Weitzel
showed no remorse for his crimes. He ordered Weitzel to
pay $15,864 in restitution to victims' families for
funeral and burial expenses.
Kay also told Weitzel a parole board eventually would
consider how much remorse he shows.
"How long you're going to be in prison is really in a
large situation up to you," Kay told Weitzel.
During brief remarks to the court, Weitzel apologized to
victims' relatives, telling them he believed his actions
were "ethically appropriate under the circumstances."
However, he told Kay he couldn't accept the jury's
findings.
"I did the best I could in good faith and with no malice
or intent to harm," Weitzel said.
The hearing began with five people, each a child of a
victim, reading statements to Kay. Each survivor
expressed remorse and guilt over what happened.
"Weitzel was a doctor out of control," said Carolyn
Buhman, daughter of victim Lydia Smith. "What a
betrayal, what a travesty of his medical training and
oath."
The victims were Ennis Alldredge, 85; Ellen Anderson,
91; Mary Crane, 72; Judith Larsen, 93; and Smith, 90.
All were being treated by Weitzel for senile dementia.
Defense attorney Peter Stirba had asked Kay to impose
probation, saying the case could send a negative message
to doctors who are administering to dying patients.
Stirba said more than 70 letters were sent to the court
in support of Weitzel. He read excerpts at the hearing
that described the doctor as kind and caring.
This Story appeared in The Daily Herald on Saturday,
September 9, 2000 12:00:00 AM
© 2001 by HarkTheHerald.com
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