Family Of Narcotics Overdose Victim Testifies At Queens Doctor's Manslaughter Trial
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - The family of one of Dr. Stan Li's patients who died from an oxycodone overdose testified at the Queens doctor's manslaughter trial Thursday.
As WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported, the jury heard emotional testimony from Kevin Kingsley's mother and daughter.
Kingsley was one of at least four addicted patients who died after overdosing on the narcotic prescribed by Dr. Li, Cornell reported.
Family Of Narcotics Overdose Victim Testifies At Queens Doctor's Manslaughter Trial
Kingsley's mother testified that when she would drive her son to the Flushing, Queens clinic to get the pills, the visit would only last about 10 minutes and he would pay in cash for the oxycodone prescription.
Prosecutors called family members to prove that Dr. Li knew he was selling addictive painkillers to addicts. In opening statements last week, a narcotics prosecutor portrayed Li as a drug dealer with a medical degree.
Ann Kingsley testified that the last time she drove her son to the clinic, he looked gray, emaciated and like a derelict.
Prosecutors say Li kept writing narcotics prescriptions to one patient who overdosed five times in a year and another whose father implored him to stop.
Li's lawyer contends his acted properly. The defense said Li didn't know some patients were misusing drugs he prescribed.
Authorities around the country have used civil and sometimes criminal laws to pursue doctors suspected of peddling prescriptions, but manslaughter charges are rare.
When state officials stripped Li of his medical license in January 2012, they said the doctor also overlooked such warning signs as requests for early refills and state reports that patients were doctor-shopping for multiple prescriptions.
Authorities have also said that Li provided 24 prescriptions filled by David Laffer, who later pleaded guilty to killing four people in the 2011 robbery of a pharmacy in Medford, Long Island.
Laffer is serving a life sentence for murder. His wife, Melinda Brady, admitted to driving the getaway car and is serving 25 years.
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