Ogden Standard Examiner Opinion
Prosecutors disregarded compassionate care
Fri, Aug 3, 2001 00:00:00
I testified for Dr. Robert Weitzel during his murder trial last
summer in Davis County. In my opinion, this was one of the most
egregious abuses of government power I have ever witnessed. The
Davis County prosecutors were, and continue to be, misinformed and
misguided. They demonstrated utter disregard for the quality of life
of the citizens in their county who suffer painful and distressing
symptoms often associated with the end of life. They performed, and
continue to perform, a disservice to the people of the entire state
of Utah.
Their misinformed and misguided efforts are setting back
compassionate, distressing-symptom-relief care for patients who
suffer chronic, painful medical conditions to the Neanderthal Age.
Physicians cannot afford to risk regulatory sanctions and criminal
conviction for providing appropriate care for their patients.
Nothing in the records of the patients under Dr. Weitzel's care that
I reviewed remotely suggested any criminal behavior. He provided
compassionate, proper medical care to patients with highly
complicated medical problems that fell well within the standard of
practice for treating such patients.
It is time for Utahns to remove such despotic and irresponsible
prosecutors who are doing nothing to "protect" them and, indeed, are
doing them a disservice. Physicians must determine what is proper
medical care for patients and not policemen and/or prosecutors.
Dr. Weitzel continues to be victimized by individuals who are out of
control. Charges against him should be dropped, and the State Bar of
Utah should take disciplinary action against the Davis County
prosecutors.
Carey Stratton Hill, Jr., M.D.
Houston, Texas
Copyright ©2001, Ogden Publishing Corporation
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