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Hurwitz Trial Update
Monday, December 13, 2004

by Frank Fisher, M.D. & Siobhan Reynolds; for the Pain Relief Network; 12/13/2004. Originally posted: 12/14/2004; [www.doctordeluca.com/Library/WOD/HurwitzUpdate041213.htm].

Friends,

The jury is still out.  They had two questions today.

In the morning, they requested transcripts from trial testimony from a toxicologist concerning one of the deaths. The also wanted to go over some of Ashburn’s testimony. The judge did not grant their requests, and it didn’t go any farther.

In the afternoon there was a question about one of the diverters, and his prescription. Before the attorneys could be assembled, a note was sent out stating that the question had been resolved.

Deliberations ended today at 4:30 PM. At the end of the day, jury members looked like they had been beating the Hell out of each other. I don’t know what it means, but that’s what happened.
 

-- Frank (Frank Fisher, M.D.)

Late Evening addendum posted by Siobhan Reynolds to the PRN listServ:

No verdict but a major development.

Dr. Portenoy and several past presidents of the American Pain Society got together in a strongly worded letter to denounce and disown Dr. Ashburn's testimony against Dr. Hurwitz.

I was very heartened by what I read. Please accept my word when I say that these esteemed physicians destroyed [prosecution expert, Dr. Ashburn].

-- Siobhan (Siobhan Reynolds, President, Pain Relief Network)

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