Texas neurosurgeon charged with killing, maiming patients
1 of the most notorious malpractice cases in state's history
A Dallas judge on Friday refused a request to lower the bond for a Texas neurosurgeon charged with killing at least one patient and maiming others in what prosecutors said were botched operations.
Criminal District Court Judge Carter Thomas ruled that Dr. Christopher Duntsch, 44, should be returned to the Dallas County jail on $600,000 US bail.
The Texas Medical Board, which has suspended his licence, said in documents he could not practise medicine "with reasonable skill and safety due to impairment from drugs and alcohol."
Duntsch was indicted in July on five counts of aggravated assault and one count of injuring an elderly person in what has quickly become one of the most notorious malpractice cases in the state's history.
The indictments allege that he used his hands as a deadly weapon by misapplying medical devices. If convicted, he could face up to 99 years in prison for each assault charge.
He left a sponge inside one patient and operated on the wrong part of another patient's spine, the indictment said.
Doctor didn't kill on purpose, lawyer says
The Texas Medical Board revoked his medical licence in December 2013 based on the treatment of six patients, including one who hemorrhaged to death and another who died of a stroke.
Duntsch plans to fight the charges, according to his court-appointed attorney, Robbie McClung.
"This does not rise to the level of a criminal act," she said. "This is medical malpractice or medical misadventure but there is no evidence that what he did was on purpose."
Besides the criminal charges, Duntsch faces several civil lawsuits and has settled some malpractice cases. He has also filed for bankruptcy, McClung said.
Prosecutors at the bail reduction hearing argued that Duntsch's bond should not be reduced because he could try to leave Dallas and seek a new medical licence outside of Texas, local media reported.
Dallas Police are investigating Duntsch for harming another 10 patients apart from those mentioned in the indictment, the Dallas Morning News reported based on police documents.
In revoking his licence, investigators found no evidence that he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol during any of the procedures in question.
Duntsch, who had been living with relatives in Colorado, was arrested in July when he returned to Texas to visit his children.