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Posted: 9:42 PM Mar 5, 2008
Jury In Vegas Finds Doctor Guilty In Overdose Murder Case
A Las Vegas jury on Wednesday found a Nevada doctor guilty of second degree murder in the death of a patient prosecutors say overdosed on painkillers he sold her.
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A Las Vegas jury on Wednesday found a Nevada doctor guilty of second degree murder in the death of a patient prosecutors say overdosed on painkillers he sold her.
A prosecutor characterized Dr. Harriston Bass Jr. as a pusher of painkillers that he allegedly delivered to patients at hotel rooms and homes from a PT Cruiser equipped with a portable refrigerator.
He called his medical practice Docs 24-7.
Along with the murder conviction, Bass was found guilty on 49 counts of selling a controlled substance and six counts of possession of a controlled substance, with the intent to sell.
Bass, 54, described himself as a skilled doctor who helped patients get quality medical care and cheaper medications - a "one-man team" who performed house calls for ailing patients.
He stood trial in Clark County District Court for the murder of 38-year-old Gina Micali, who died in October 2005 after taking the pain reliever hydrocodone.
Murder can be charged under Nevada state law if someone dies from drugs they receive illegally from a dealer.
Bass was arrested in December 2006 after investigators linked drugs found in Micali's home to him.
Authorities reported finding more than 10,000 doses of prescription drugs and $150,000 in cash at Bass' home in a gated golf course community west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Bass' defense lawyers, David Lee Phillips, said his client always followed the law and was "not some street dealer."
Bass testified that he was merely doing his job and that he believed he could legally sell prescription drugs for a profit.
Deputy Chief state Attorney General Conrad Hafen said that while Bass had a license to prescribe drugs, he did not have a license to dispense and sell controlled substances.
Bass earlier lost an appeal of a medical malpractice finding by the state Board of Medical Examiners in connection with the deaths of two patients in the 1990s after surgery.
He was given three years' probation and ordered to have another doctor assist him with surgeries.
Micali's family filed a civil lawsuit against Bass in 2006.
Latest Comments
This is a comment on our legal and medical system. The Law convicted DR.Harrison Bass JR. today.What about the 40,000 potiental victums out there,due to greed. I wasn't at Dr.Basses trial or sentencing,but i am a former patient. My life was saved by this man.No one saw fit to hear from my family. Ironically,the DR. in charge of looking into the mess on Shadow Lane is the same person who nearly cost me my life. I am fortunate enough to have found another very good Doctor,but it is up to me to follow his orders and take my meds as prescribed. I can't blame him if i don't follow his orders.I thank GOD for DR. Bass and my current Doctor, without them I would never have been here to see my lovely greatgrand children.
