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Show TV Salt Lake Tribune Nurse Convicted in Deaths Of 12 Elderly Patients A RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) nurse was convicted by a .judge Thursday of murdering 12 elderly patients two atpo. hospitals' with overdoses of a drug designed to control the heartbeat. Robert Diaz, whom prosecutors called nothing but a killer, faces a possible sentence of death in the gas chamber for the 1981 slayings. Immediately after the verdict, systems when they died. A normal dose is 0 milligrams, and large doses are followed by violent seizures. Defense attorneys argued that the high levels of the drug may have been created by buildup of therapeutic doses given over a long period. They said there was no evidence that the drug was deliberately administered all at once. Deputy District Attorney Patrick Magers argued Diaz was the only link among the deaths. He said prosecutors were elated by the ver- dict Diaz his wife, Martha, said she would file for a legal separation later in the day. Diaz sat quietly, drumming his fingers on a table, as Superior Court Judge John H. Bernard read his verdict in the trial at which the defendant waived his right to a jury. Defense attrorneys John J. Lee and Michael B. Lewis said they would appeal. "Im depressed and disappointed, Lewis said. It will take some to soak in. What we need to do now is to sit down with Bob and take care of him, said Lee. Called Circumstantial Lee had called the case against Diaz circumstantial. The prosecution never introduced a motive for the killings. Early in the investigation, Diaz said, I know of no reason why they are focusing on me. hearing During the three-minut-e in a small, jammed courtroom, Bernard did not explain how he reached his verdict Diaz, of Apple Valley, was convicted of killing the patients in March 1981 and April 1981, 11 of them at Community Hospital of the Valleys in Perris and the 12th at San Gorgonio Pass Memorial Hospital in Banning. Diaz was working as a temporary overnight nurse in the intensive-car- e units of both hospitals at the time. He has been in Riverside County Jail since his arrest in November 1981. Prosecutors alleged that Diaz injected the patients with overdoses of lidocaine, a relaxant used to control We were confident all along, but we were concerned about the complexity of the case, he said. In closing arguments last week, Friday, March 30, 1984 mww urn A3 JIood BaBks Warned Of Accutane Danger - WASHINGTON (AP) The Food and Drug Administration Thursday warned blood banks not to accept donations from people being treated with Accutane, a drug for treating disfiguring cystic acne which has been linked with severe birth defects. The FDA and the drugs manufacturer, Hoffman-L- a Roche of Nutley, N.J., also strengthened the warnings given physicians, patients and pharmacists about use of the prescription drug, calling for pregnancy tests for women two weeks before they begin treatment with Accutane. The companys printed warning advises that an effective form of contraception be used for at least a month before, during, and for one, month after Accutane treatments. ' : Hotrir Furnishintis KZVJ 71 ICT.3 C2A1OT 13 A g fk ' I w ? - R ti - tn - . wj t I,1. ro.cv c r WAYTO C1C331 ff v; v e - t JktfN-15- ' v 5 m rrvy- . 1 kU . .t r hi 4 t a v ,. f , f y. K i I - rf, "The ' & h !" V a 1 - ; i r r WASATCH" v YOUTH tv f if BED 36"x72" W The FDA has information on 16 Magers called Diaz nothing but a major birth defects and 20 spontanekiller who betrayed the trust of pa- ous abortions associated with the tients, nurses and doctors. use of Accutane. five-mon- th "The RUSTIC" I FumithlMI glioma 1 f wvtvwvrwn i,C .a--- .' a o , V a- KING QUEEN SUPER SINGLE - NOW Thru CimpUli with rtll Acceuory Package SATURDAY! Take With The ARIZONAN II KING or QUEEN Complete with FREE Accessory Package r eadboMgs in GLEAMING GENUINE BRASS PLATING YOUR irregular heartbeat. 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