Posted on 12/05/2002 3:49:57 PM PST by barker
Posted on Thu, Dec. 05, 2002
Courtney sentenced to 30 years By MARK MORRIS The Kansas City Star
Robert Courtney sits as victims speak before his sentencing Thursday in Federal Court in Kansas City. A federal judge gave him to the maximum 30 years in prison for diluting cancer drugs for profit. Illustration by L. Eric Craven, The Star
Former Kansas City pharmacist Robert R. Courtney was sentenced today to a maximum of 30 years in prison for diluting chemotherapy medications he prepared for cancer patients.
Courtney, 50, faced a sentence of 171/2 years to 30 years in federal prison. He pleaded guilty in February to 20 counts of adulterating, misbranding and tampering with the medications.
U.S. District Judge Ortrie Smith sentenced Courtney after hearing testimony from Courtney, his victims, the defense and the prosecution.
"Mr. Courtney, your crimes are a shock to the civilized conscience. They are beyond understanding," Smith said. "Moreover, your crimes are a shock to the conscience of a nation, the conscience of a community, and the conscience of this Court."
Earlier Courtney apologized.
"I'm very, very sorry," he said. "As one of the victim's daughters said this morning, it's hard to find the words to use because the words seem so inadequate...I have committed a terrible crime and I deeply and sincerely regret it."
In recent court filings, prosecutors argued for a maximum sentence, contending that watered down drugs caused the premature death of one cancer patient.
Defense lawyers and experts have dismissed that claim as "speculation" and have argued that a minimum sentence fits the case. They say Courtney has fully cooperated with authorities, a key element in his plea agreement.
To reach Mark Morris, federal court reporter, call (816) 234-4310 or send e-mail to mmorris@kcstar.com.
Of course, the backdrop and reasoning behind the pharmacist's actions were because his Christian church was pressuring him to donate more money to the church.
Those Christians - always the bad guys, aren't they?
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