'Dr. Death' Patel's former patient says there's 'no justice' in his freedom

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ANI Brisbane
Last Updated : Nov 22 2013 | 4:10 PM IST

There is no justice in his freedom after Indian-origin surgeon Jayant Patel cleared of the manslaughter charges of three patients in Australia, a former patient has said.

The patient said that an eight-year legal saga that ended when the man dubbed 'Dr Death' walked free from court was a farce.

Beryl Crosby, president of the Bundaberg Hospital Patients Support Group, said that it was all over what a farce it has been, adding that there was no justice at the end of it all.

According to Brisbane Times, Crosby was told by Patel to prepare for a funeral after he diagnosed her with cancer. The cancer never existed.

After his extradition from the US, lengthy manslaughter trial and retrial, which cost Queensland taxpayers more than 3.5 million dollars, Patel has walked away from the Brisbane District Court, free to return to his home in Portland, Oregon.

He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, wholly suspended, for fraudulently obtaining registration as a doctor in Queensland.

Nurse Toni Hoffman, who first blew the whistle on Dr Patel's conduct, said she was appalled by the result.

Hoffman added that the only way she can console herself was that he won't be able to operate on anyone in Australia ever again.

After the final hearing, Patel made a brief statement outside the courthouse in which he thanked his supporters.

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First Published: Nov 22 2013 | 4:02 PM IST

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