The Nurse on Every Shift

A licensed practical nurse worked at a small county hospital. Investigators found that he had been present at the sudden and unexpected deaths of seven patients, and that no one else had been present at all seven. The State called medical staff, experts and relatives of the patients to show that the deaths were unnatural and caused by potassium chloride poisoning. A man who had shared a garage with the nurse testified that he saw a vial of potassium chloride there and another in the nurse's car, and police found such bottles when they searched his home. He was charged with seven counts of murder. He pleaded not guilty and contested the charges at a six-week jury trial.