Fla. Doctor Convicted in Pill Trafficking

Associated Press ^ | May 19, 2005

[kingattax]

(AP) - WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-A doctor accused of running a "pill mill" was convicted Thursday of drug trafficking but acquitted of first-degree murder in a patient's fatal overdose.

Dr. Denis Deonarine could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison after a jury found him guilty on 10 of a possible 86 felony counts, including Medicaid fraud. Sentencing was scheduled for July 15.

Deonarine's medical license was suspended following the 2001 death of Michael Labzda, 21. Labzda's friends said he was snorting crushed OxyContin pills and drinking rum.

Defense attorney Richard Lubin said Deonarine acted in good faith in treating patients and had no criminal intent, even if he did sometimes prescribe drugs too often or at doses that were too high.

The attorney also said Labzda's death was not his client's fault. Labzda had drunk perhaps 20 beers, three to five rum drinks and snorted crushed OxyContin in the hours before his death, Lubin said.

State prosecutor Barbara Burns told jurors that Labzda was a healthy young man whose only injury - a broken toe - did not warrant a powerful painkiller such as OxyContin.

Hundreds of people have died nationwide from breaking up OxyContin pills and snorting or injecting them to get an instant rush from a dose intended to be released over 12 hours

[Hardastarboard]

snorting crushed OxyContin pills and drinking rum.

Sounds like a girl I used to date.

Seriously, wonder how long it will take the MSM to start trying to link this doctor to Rush?

[OldPossum]

The attorney also said Labzda's death was not his client's fault. Labzda had drunk perhaps 20 beers, three to five rum drinks and snorted crushed OxyContin in the hours before his death, Lubin said.

Maybe I'm just not "sensitive" or "caring" but the passing of this individual surely has raised the average IQ in the USA.