'Dr Death' Patel to face separate medical, fraud trials

Melbourne, May 25 (PTI) India-born American surgeon
Jayant Patel, charged of manslaughter and causing grievous
bodily harm to his patients in Australia, will face separate
trials for fraud and medical-related charges.

In a pre-trial review Monday in Queensland state Supreme
Court, the crown agreed with an application by Patel's lawyers
for the eight fraud charges to be heard separately from three
manslaughter and two grievous bodily harm charges.

Lawyers next month will argue whether to further split
the manslaughter and grievous bodily harm matters into
separate trials, AAP said Monday.

Prosecutor Ross Martin SC told the local court in
Brisbane that the crown would oppose any such application.

The charges relate to Patel's time as director of
surgery at Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005.

Dubbed as 'Dr Death" by the Australian media, the
59-year-old was committed to stand trial after a three-week
hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court. A further pre-trial
hearing is scheduled for next month.

During the review, court was told Patel's defence team
had not yet decided whether to apply for 'judge-only' trials,
instead of a jury, for some or all of the charges.

Martin indicated that the prosecution may not oppose
such an application if made. Patel, currently on strict bail
conditions, was present in court during the brief hearing.

The doctor was extradited from the US in July last year
to face charges of medical negligence leading to the death of
17 patients between 2003 and 2005, during which he is accused
to have botched several cases. PTI NC
RAI