US families recount 'horrific' Gaza hostage ordeal, urge more action
Four-year-old American hostage Abigail is surrounded by family in Israel who "brought her life back" after seven weeks of captivity, her great aunt said Wednesday, as relatives stressed they will not rest...
2023-11-30 04:53
Former Missouri respiratory therapist sentenced to 18 years in prison over 2002 patient deaths
A former Missouri respiratory therapist has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty in connection with the deaths of two patients over 20 years ago. Jennifer Hall, who was arrested in May 2022, was sentenced on Friday to a state prison and will have the possibility of parole, according to KCTV. Hall was initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder, but in April this year she pleaded guilty to reduced first-degree involuntary manslaughter counts in connection with the deaths of Fern Franco, 75, and David Wesley Harper, 37. Hall also pleaded guilty to one count of attempted second-degree assault, according to the outlet. In 2002, nine patients — including Franco and Harper — died at Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe over a several month period. Charging documents described this series of events as “medically suspicious.” Hall started working at the hospital, which is in the north-central part of the state, in December 2001 until she was placed on administrative leave five months later, the publication noted. During that time the facility experienced 18 “code blue” incidents, a notable hike from the average the year before. Nine of those patients died, according to USA Today. In 2017, morphine and a muscle relaxant called succinylcholine were found in tissue samples taken from Franco, despite the fact that neither drug was prescribed by her doctors, according to reports. The discovery caused the case to resurface. “Because of Hall’s singular proximity to stricken patients, her access to pharmaceuticals which are deadly if misused, and her discovery and method of notifying staff of every patient’s cardiac emergency, nursing staff believed Hall was responsible for the patient deaths,” said Chillicothe Police Officer Brian Schmidt in a probable cause statement. “The substance Hall used to brutally take Fern Franco’s life, succinylcholin, paralyzes the victim’s muscles, including the diaphragm, causing the victim to suffer a ghastly death from suffocation while still maintaining full consciousness and awareness that they are unable to breathe,” the officer continued. Matt O’Connor, Hall’s lawyer, maintained his client’s innocence, saying that as a respiratory therapist, she didn’t have access to succinylcholine, morphine or any other drugs. He said he believed Hall was accused of being involved in the deaths because of an arson conviction, which she was cleared of in 2005. Aprille Franco, a granddaughter, told KCTV: “My dad wanted answers so we could finally put flowers on her grave knowing someone is responsible for this. “I didn’t know my grandma,” she added, “but given the chance I may have known her ... I’m focused on getting answers and helping other families get the answers they deserve.” “A sentence 20 years in the making,” said Livingston County prosecutor Adam Warren, who launched an investigation 10 years ago. “The sentence was for 18 years,” he said in a statement. “Jennifer Hall will be able to parole someday. But for now, we all sleep better knowing she is behind bars.” Mr Warren did not reveal a possible motive, but the case bears haunting similarities to one in the UK, where nurse Lucy Letby was sentenced to life in prison on Monday after being found guilty of murdering children who were in her care. Letby, the most prolific child serial killer in modern British history, was found guilty on Friday of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder six others when she was working on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. Read More Lucy Letby jailed for life: Nurse refuses to face court in ‘final act of wickedness’ An empty dock and a final act of cowardice: inside the Lucy Letby sentencing Baby murderer Lucy Letby to spend rest of her life in jail for ‘evil’ crimes
2023-08-22 03:54
Charli D'Amelio wows fans with Snow White costume amid early Halloween celebration: 'Prettiest princess'
Charli D'Ameliodelighted her fans with an early Halloween treat by showcasing her captivating Snow White costume on Instagram
2023-10-29 12:53
Germany prosecutes ex-Nazi camp guard aged 98
A man is accused of complicity in the murder of thousands of Sachsenhausen concentration camp inmates.
2023-09-01 22:16
White House asks Congress for $106 billion for Ukraine, Israel
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House on Friday asked Congress for nearly $106 billion to fund ambitious plans for Ukraine, Israel
2023-10-20 23:21
Cleveland woman indicted on murder charges after leaving her 16-month-old child alone for 10 days, prosecutors say
A Cleveland woman has been indicted on murder charges after she left her 16-month-old child alone for 10 days while she vacationed in Detroit and Puerto Rico, prosecutors say.
2023-06-27 23:17
Things to know about aid, lawsuits and tourism nearly a month after fire leveled a Hawaii community
It's been nearly a month since the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed at least 115 people in Hawaii
2023-09-06 13:28
Ex-worker's lawsuit alleges music mogul L.A. Reid sexually assaulted her in 2001
A former worker has filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Antonio “L
2023-11-09 11:26
Thames Water May Run Out of Money By April, Group Auditor Warns
Thames Water’s parent company may run out of money by April if shareholders don’t inject more equity into
2023-12-02 16:27
Russia throwing 'waves' of men in battle for key frontline city
Russia was throwing "waves" of soldiers towards the embattled Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, suffering massive losses in their attempt to capture strategically important territory on the...
2023-11-23 22:30
Tristan Tate predicts epic Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz fight, YouTuber reacts swiftly as fans call it 'rigged'
'Maybe in points, but Diaz has a hell of a diamond chin. But yeah it’s boxing so lets see,' a fan wrote
2023-08-06 14:51
'The View' host Ana Navarro shares sultry selfie from Greece vacay, fans say she's 'absolutely gorgeous'
Ana Navarro shared a snapshot from her summer holidays in Greece and a rejuvenating getaway in Turkey
2023-08-21 12:53
You Might Like...
'It's about time': Fans rejoice as Gwen Stefani will get a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024
US to deploy coastguard ship to Papua New Guinea
Banco do Brasil and World Bank ready cooperation on $400 million for Amazon recovery
Maui fire survivors are confronting huge mental health hurdles, many while still living in shelters
D-backs slug 4 homers in record-setting barrage, sweep Dodgers with 4-2 win in Game 3 of NLDS
French police probe ‘poisoning’ of TV journalist who denounced Putin’s war live on air
European Stocks Steady on Mideast Diplomacy; Polish Market Jumps
MrBeast finds FaZe Clan's market value astoundingly low, encourages pal Rug to buy esports company
