French Anesthetist on Trial: Accused of Poisoning Patients for “Hero” Resuscitations
A French anesthesiologist, Frédéric Pechier, is on trial for allegedly poisoning 30 patients, resulting in 12 deaths, between 2008 and 2017. The prosecution contends that Pechier intentionally caused cardiac arrests to demonstrate his resuscitation skills and undermine colleagues, a claim Pechier denies. The investigation, which began in 2017, revealed suspicions that Pechier tampered with colleagues’ medical supplies, while also being the first responder during these emergencies. If convicted, Pechier faces life imprisonment, and the trial, expected to be lengthy, involves over 150 civil parties and focuses on the evidence from the cases.
John Q. Hosedrinker