Former Mount Carmel doc turns himself in, charged with 25 murder counts

Update: The fired Mount Carmel doctor accused of administering “grossly inappropriate” amounts of pain meds to 35 patients turned himself in this morning.

A grand jury indicted Dr. William Husel on 25 counts of murder. A lawyer for Husel has said he didn’t intend to kill patients, reports Yahoo.

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HAPPENING NOW: Dr. William Husel turned himself into Columbus Police Headquarters at 10:30am, 6/5/19. At 11am Chief Tom Quinlan & Ron O'Brien Franklin County Prosecutor will hold a news conference concerning the case against Dr. Husel and the deaths of dozens of patients. Indicted on 25 counts of murder.Great police work by CPD's Cold Case Homicide Unit!We will carry the news conference live on CPD FB.*Video from CPD
Posted by Columbus Division of Police on Wednesday, June 5, 2019

2/26/2019: The fired Mount Carmel doctor, who is allegedly responsible for leading the administration of “grossly inappropriate” amounts of pain meds to 35 patients and potentially killing 29 of them, has requested a hearing to appeal the suspension of his medical license.

The State Medical Board temporarily suspended Husel’s medical license on January 25, saying the action was “based on allegations of his failure to meet acceptable standards regarding the selection of drugs, violations of the minimal standards of care and failing to cooperate in a board’s investigation related to the doctor’s prescribing of fentanyl and midazolam to patients under his care at Mt. Carmel Health Systems,” reports WOSU.

The hearing will provide Husel with the opportunity to present evidence and examine witnesses appearing for him and against him, reports WOSU. The date has yet to be determined.

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Most of the 35 patients affected by Husel’s actions are believed to have been near death, but the hospital is now saying five of the patients had potential to recover from their conditions.

About a month ago, Husel appeared before the Ohio Medical Board for a half-hour meeting about his conduct. He reportedly pointed to his “Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination” to avoid answering virtually all questions, including inquiries about his understanding of fentanyl and if he administered drugs with the purpose of ending his patients’ lives, reports WOSU.

So far, 19 wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against Husel since his firing on January 19.

The Franklin County Prosecutor’s office is currently investigating the case.

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