French doctor convicted of poisoning patients sentenced to life in prison

On Thursday, December 18, a former anaesthetist was sentenced to life in prison for deliberately poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died.

According to the BBC, a court in the city of Besancon in eastern France found Frederic Pechier guilty of tampering with infusion bags using substances that caused cardiac arrest or hemorrhaging.

However, his youngest victim-a four-year-old child- survived two cardiac arrests during a routine adenoidectomy.

Pechier was placed under investigation eight years ago for administering a noxious substance at two clinics in Besancon between 2008 and 2017.

He spent the 15 weeks of the trial at liberty under judicial oversight; however he must now serve a minimum 22 years behind bars.

In this regard, he stated, “I have said it before and I’ll say it again: I am not a poisoner.’’

According to recent reports, Pechier will now spend a minimum of 22 years in prison.

However, he has 10 days to submit an appeal, which would entail a second trial within a year.

Following years of trial and investigation, the jury delivered a verdict that is considered one of the most significant moments in French legal history.