jayant patel found not guilty, page-8

Let me say at the outset that I'm no fan of Dr Patel.

The history of this matter does nobody any credit. Briefly:

1 the Morris Inquiry into alleged malpactice, headed by Tony Morris QC, was terminated in 2005 when the Supreme Court found the Commissioner exhibited bias.

2. a new Inquiry headed by Justice Davies QC recommened charges against Patel. The Inquiry found that Patel may have caused between 13-17 deaths by inappropriate treatment and surgery.

3. the state government commissioned two other Inquiries, though without judicial powers.

4. Patel was convicted in 2010 for the unlawful killing of 3 patients and causing GBH to a 4th. He appealed and in 2012 the High Court quashed all convictions and ordered a retrial.

5. Last week Patel was acquitted by a Supreme Court jury of the manslaughter of one of his patients. For whatever reason, the DPP has elected to run a series of trials sequentially instead of together. Justice Freiberg was scathing of the prosecution in how they had prepared and run the case.

6. On 14 March the DPP said it would still pursue another 12 criminal charges against Patel, including 2 manslaughter charges. There's no suggestion they won't run them one at a time.

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Now, I feel deeply for the patients and families who may have suffered at the hands of Patel - I say may, as nothing has ever been proven.

However, this is turning into a witch-hunt. Running multiple charges one at a time is oppressive and designed to bankrupt a defendant. Patel has been cleared twice now, the prosecutors are clearly incompetent if the Supreme Court Justice is to be believed.

Surely it's time to put this sorry tale behind us. Patel has spent time in jail, I'm sure he's broke. Let it be!