A former Ohio physician who was fired and later acquitted of murder charges in the deaths of 14 patients has lost a defamation lawsuit against Columbus-based Mount Carmel Health System, The Vindicator reported June 17.
What happened?
- A judge issued a directed verdict against former physician William Husel, MD, dismissing his $18 million defamation claim. Dr. Husel’s attorneys had accused Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Trinity Health and Mount Carmel of leading a coordinated effort to damage his reputation. A directed verdict is generally rendered when a judge determines no reasonable jury would reach a different conclusion.
- Dr. Husel was fired in 2018 after Mount Carmel determined he had ordered excessive painkillers for about three dozen patients, who later died. He was later charged with 25 counts of murder in one of the largest cases of this type, although 11 counts were dismissed before trial.
- Dr. Husel had argued he was alleviating pain — not hastening death — during end-of-life care. A jury acquitted him of all remaining charges in 2022, but he permanently surrendered his medical license.
- He later filed multiple lawsuits against Mount Carmel and Trinity Health, alleging defamation and malicious prosecution.
- According to the report, Dr. Husel’s attorney, David Vermillion, expressed disappointment over the judge’s decision to issue a directed verdict — effectively removing the case from jury deliberation after weeks of testimony. He said the ruling “silences the voices of those who came seeking justice.”
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