
Former Missouri respiratory therapist sentenced to 18 years in prison over 2002 patient deaths
A former Missouri respiratory therapist has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty in connection with the deaths of two patients over 20 years ago. Jennifer Hall, who was arrested in May 2022, was sentenced on Friday to a state prison and will have the possibility of parole, according to KCTV. Hall was initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder, but in April this year she pleaded guilty to reduced first-degree involuntary manslaughter counts in connection with the deaths of Fern Franco, 75, and David Wesley Harper, 37. Hall also pleaded guilty to one count of attempted second-degree assault, according to the outlet. In 2002, nine patients — including Franco and Harper — died at Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe over a several month period. Charging documents described this series of events as “medically suspicious.” Hall started working at the hospital, which is in the north-central part of the state, in December 2001 until she was placed on administrative leave five months later, the publication noted. During that time the facility experienced 18 “code blue” incidents, a notable hike from the average the year before. Nine of those patients died, according to USA Today. In 2017, morphine and a muscle relaxant called succinylcholine were found in tissue samples taken from Franco, despite the fact that neither drug was prescribed by her doctors, according to reports. The discovery caused the case to resurface. “Because of Hall’s singular proximity to stricken patients, her access to pharmaceuticals which are deadly if misused, and her discovery and method of notifying staff of every patient’s cardiac emergency, nursing staff believed Hall was responsible for the patient deaths,” said Chillicothe Police Officer Brian Schmidt in a probable cause statement. “The substance Hall used to brutally take Fern Franco’s life, succinylcholin, paralyzes the victim’s muscles, including the diaphragm, causing the victim to suffer a ghastly death from suffocation while still maintaining full consciousness and awareness that they are unable to breathe,” the officer continued. Matt O’Connor, Hall’s lawyer, maintained his client’s innocence, saying that as a respiratory therapist, she didn’t have access to succinylcholine, morphine or any other drugs. He said he believed Hall was accused of being involved in the deaths because of an arson conviction, which she was cleared of in 2005. Aprille Franco, a granddaughter, told KCTV: “My dad wanted answers so we could finally put flowers on her grave knowing someone is responsible for this. “I didn’t know my grandma,” she added, “but given the chance I may have known her ... I’m focused on getting answers and helping other families get the answers they deserve.” “A sentence 20 years in the making,” said Livingston County prosecutor Adam Warren, who launched an investigation 10 years ago. “The sentence was for 18 years,” he said in a statement. “Jennifer Hall will be able to parole someday. But for now, we all sleep better knowing she is behind bars.” Mr Warren did not reveal a possible motive, but the case bears haunting similarities to one in the UK, where nurse Lucy Letby was sentenced to life in prison on Monday after being found guilty of murdering children who were in her care. Letby, the most prolific child serial killer in modern British history, was found guilty on Friday of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder six others when she was working on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. Read More Lucy Letby jailed for life: Nurse refuses to face court in ‘final act of wickedness’ An empty dock and a final act of cowardice: inside the Lucy Letby sentencing Baby murderer Lucy Letby to spend rest of her life in jail for ‘evil’ crimes
2023-08-22 03:51

READ: John Eastman's bond agreement
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has reached a bond agreement with one of former President Donald Trump's 18 co-defendants: conservative attorney John Eastman, according to a new court filing on Monday. Eastman's $100,000 bond order is the first to appear on the Fulton County court website.
2023-08-22 03:51

American woman missing after stay at Mexico hotel
An investigation has been launched after an American woman went missing while staying at a resort in Mexico. Officials say that Nekendra Karen Kingston was a guest at the Barcelo Hotel in Playa del Carmen, reported ABC News. Ms Kingston, 49, has not been heard from since 9 August, and her family filed a complaint on 19 August.
2023-08-22 03:27

4 Zion Williamson trades the Pelicans should consider
If the New Orleans Pelicans want to move on from Zion Williamson, here are three intriguing trade offers.The Zion Williamson era has not gone according to plan for the New Orleans Pelicans. On the court, the former No. 1 overall pick has lived up to the superstar hype, averaging 25.8 points, 7.0...
2023-08-22 03:27

Star China Hedge Fund Blames Global Money for Stock Selloff
A top-performing Chinese macro hedge fund blamed global capital for sinking the country’s stocks to the lowest levels
2023-08-22 02:49

NBA Rumors: Lillard deal looming, Spurs mistake, Harden trade return
A Damian Lillard trade may be imminent, the Spurs regret not pursuing Austin Reaves, and what the 76ers want for Harden. Check out the latest NBA rumors.NBA rumors: A Damian Lillard deal might be coming, finally...A month after Lillard's trade request, Portland and Miami didn't appear ...
2023-08-22 02:48

Study reveals persistent sexism toward women serving in US Army Special Operations Forces
Women serving in the US Army's elite Special Operation Forces face significant discrimination including sexual harassment and sexism from their male counterparts, according to a new study carried out by US Army Special Operations Command.
2023-08-22 02:47

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on Switch?
Players want to know if The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is on the Switch. Here's where you can find out.
2023-08-22 01:53

Medical debt hits the middle class hardest
Medical debt is a big burden for the middle class. Almost a quarter of middle-class Americans, or 17 million people, had unpaid health care bills in 2020, a larger share than those higher and lower on the income scale, according to a new report from Third Way.
2023-08-22 01:22

What we know about the gunman who shot Laura Carleton over a Pride flag?
A man who gunned down a beloved store owner in California during a dispute over a Pride flag, was killed during “a lethal force encounter” with police. The identity of the gunman has not been released, with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office only stating that he was a male adult. The man shot and killed Laura Ann Carleton, 66, at her clothing store “Mag Pi” after he made “several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store,” officials said. The shooting happened around 5pm on Friday at the store on Hook Creek Road in in Cedar Glen, near Lake Arrowhead. When deputies responded to the store, they found Carleton with a gunshot wound. The mother of nine was pronounced dead at the scene. The gunman fled the area, but was later located near Torrey Road and Rause Rancho Road and was armed with a handgun when he was confronted by the authorities. He was killed during “a lethal force encounter” with deputies, who did not sustain injuries. “Through further investigation, detectives learned the suspect made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store before shooting Carleton,” officials said. It was unclear whether the shooting was being investigated as a hate crime. The 66-year-old mother-of-nine had remained defiant as a prominent ally to the LGBT+ community. When people first ripped down the Pride flag hanging outside her store, Carleton simply got another and hung it straight back up. Friends say this happened multiple times in the two years since she opened the California store as a second outpost to her first location in Studio City. Hollywood director Paul Feig, whose works include Bridesmaids and The Heat, posted a tribute saying that Carleton, who he called his “wonderful friend,” had been killed by a young man. “Her alleged murderer was later shot and killed by the San Bernardino police and so no longer poses a threat to the community,” Feig continued. “But this intolerance has to end. Anyone using hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community has to realize their words matter, that their words can inspire violence against innocent loving people. Let’s all keep moving forward with tolerance and love. Let’s not let Lauri’s tragic death be in vain.” The Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+ described her as a “remarkable figure”, whose "unwavering support" for the community and “dedication to creating a safe and inclusive space within her shop touched the lives of many”. The shooting comes about one month after the Anti-Defamation League and the LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD released a report indicating a recent rise in anti-LGBTQ harassment, vandalism or assault in the United States. “This is absolutely horrific. This disgusting hate has no place in CA,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in a social media post on Saturday. Read More Laura Carleton shooting – latest: Mag.Pi store owner and ‘true LGBTQ ally’ killed in row over Pride flag California store owner, 66, shot dead after argument about Pride flag outside her shop Paul Feig leads celebrity reactions to ‘horrific’ shooting of California store owner over Pride flag
2023-08-22 01:21

Israeli woman shot dead in attack on car in southern West Bank
A man was also injured when their car was targeted by gunfire on a highway south of Hebron.
2023-08-22 01:19

Catalonia media guide
Notes on the media in Catalonia, as well as links to newspapers and broadcasters.
2023-08-22 00:57