Prominent French physician stands trial, charged with administering lethal doses to patients
In the city of Besancon, a historic trial is currently underway. Dr. Frederic Pechier, a former anaesthetist, stands accused of intentionally poisoning 30 patients between 2008 and 2017, with 12 of those victims losing their lives.
The investigation was initiated in January 2017, following a cardiac arrest during an operation of a 36-year-old woman. The case took a dramatic turn when suspicious cardiac arrests during operations on patients considered low-risk began to surface.
Pechier, who worked at two clinics in Besancon, is suspected of tampering with paracetamol bags or anaesthesia pouches to create operating room emergencies where he could showcase his supposed resuscitating talents. The youngest alleged victim was just four years old, while the oldest was 89.
The prosecutor in this high-profile case is Etienne Manteaux, who describes it as unprecedented in French legal history. The trial, which started in Besancon, is expected to last until December.
Controversially, Pechier is under judicial supervision instead of pre-trial detention. Some of his colleagues have described him as arrogant and manipulative, while others saw him as a "star anaesthetist". One coworker even claimed that Pechier was certain he was the best and liked to think of himself as Zorro.
However, Pechier has denied the charges against him. A psychological evaluation in 2019 suggested Pechier has a controlling personality and perverse traits, which were criticized by his defense lawyers.
The trial is a "dizzying case" due to its scale, duration, and technical complexity. Over the course of the inquiry, investigators examined more than 70 reports of "serious adverse events". An autopsy of one of the victims revealed an overdose of lidocaine, a local anaesthetic.
More than 150 civil parties, including a trade union for anaesthetists, will be represented at the trial. If convicted, Pechier faces life imprisonment. His defense team has stated that he intends to prove his innocence in the case. The trial promises to be a significant event in French legal history, with far-reaching implications for the medical profession and patient safety.
