There has been yet another jury issue that will delay the manslaughter case trial against surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel. Dr. Patel had pleaded not guilty in case of manslaughter against three patients Mervyn John Morris, James Edward Phillips and Gerry Kemps.
He has also pleaded not guilty of causing grievous harm to a fourth man Ian Rodney Vowles during his tenure as the Director of surgery at the Bundaberg Base Hospital (2003 to 2005).
This is the fourth time a jury issue has come up. One of the jurors was replaced on the first day of the trial after he admitted to have formed opinions regarding the case. Two more were discharged, due to other reasons. One of them had communicated his reasons for stepping down in a note to the Judge and another woman stepped down after informing the court that she was temporarily employed with Queensland Health.
When the Supreme Court trial resumed this Wednesday morning, the jury was told that a panel member was ill. Justice John Byrne has adjourned the trial until Monday and offered the assistance of a Doctor to the ill female juror. The court has also organized a government medical officer to check upon the other members of the panel.