Jacksonville.com
The Trial of Dr. Chua
Chua, 45, has been held in the Camden County jail since September 2006 when he was arrested and charged with the drug overdose death of Jamie Carter III. Prosecutors say Carter, 20, died from drugs Chua prescribed for no legitimate medical purpose.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Doctor for defense maintains Chua's treatment of Carter

During cross examination, District Attorney Stephen Kelley, questioned Hueston's medical analysis of Carter's treatment by Chua.

Hueston was unable to explain why Chua had other medications, some several years old, from other patients stored in the desk drawer in his office.

"I would be uncomfortable with that," he said.

He also said he would advise doctors from bringing controlled substances home.

Even though Chua's records show Carter returned pain medication, the records don't indicate how many, if any, pills were returned. The records also don't indicate how Carter responded to the medications prescribed by Chua, he testified.

Other doctors, on three different occasions, expressed concern about Carter possibly being a drug seeker. But Hueston maintained it was still appropriate for Chua to prescribe narcotic pain medications to Carter.

"Show me in the records where this pain medication is working," Kelley asked.

Hueston said there was no record showing why many of the medications were prescribed or if it was effective to relieve Carter's headaches.

The undocumented prescriptions written by Chua to Carter would be a violation of the medical board in South Carolina, where Hueston practices medicine, he testified.

Some medications prescribed to Carter by Chua were changed so quickly, Hueston said it would be impossible to evaluate whether they were effective.

The first time Carter was hospitalized in a St. Marys hospital in November 2005, Hueston said Chua prescribed 10 milligrams of morphine several hours after he was admitted. Carter was given more morphine, demoral and valium during his two-day stay in the hospital.

"I don't see anything wrong with that at all," Hueston said.

Carter's request for Demerol to replace morphine to manage pain while he was hospitalized is typical behavior by people with a drug problem, Hueston said.

Later in his testimony, Hueston defended Chua's decision to give Carter a dose of morphine just before his release from the hospital, saying morphine is appropriate if Carter was prescribed medications after his release that take a long time to work.

Hueston said Carter was never prescribed an excessive number of medications by Chua during the three months he was the doctor's patient. He did say, however, there were other non-narcotic medications Chua never tried to treat Carter.

More witnesses for the defense are scheduled to testify Friday starting at 9 a.m. Attorneys said they expect to begin closing arguments sometime Saturday, then the jury will begin their deliberations. A complete wrap-up of Thursday's proceedings will be in Friday's Times-Union.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sad to see what folks have to say about this trial. Two individuals have lost their lives here. One is physically dead and the other is socially and economically dead. It's a very good thing there is an anonymous button because some people here could be held libel for their comments. With good research you will find the legal age of consent in Georgia is 16, even for homosexuals. That means, for the bigots, he did nothing illegal and it's not molestation. Also, we will never truly know who used who for what. For something that seems so open and shut to some has taken two years to put together. It does make you question the system and if it's not manipulated in this case.

Roxy the school police watch dog said...

Why did they get a doctor from South Carolina? Is this Bill Smith's doctor?

Samuels is from Atlanta, where I would think better experts could be found.

Why South Carolina?

Anonymous said...

It's funny that you mention experts. If the paper is giving us the truth from both sides of testimony, I am not impressed with any experts. Everyone is giving opinions on what they would or would not do. From the writings, I haven't heard anyone say, "by law this states". And why be so hard on the sheriff. The sheriff isn't on trial here. I feel folks are upset because he believes in the truth and he is a supporter of the Good Dr. It hasn't taken away from his work. And let's keep in mind. You are innocent until proven guilty. He was being held in jail until trial, he wasn't serving a sentence. Education is helpful.

Anonymous said...

I would question the same thing. About the doctor from S.C. and whether he was a friend of the sherriff's. I know personally how underhanded the sherriff can be. And as far as being innocent until proven guilty is a joke with him. If HE decides your guilty, he will do any and everything in his power to see that the courts find you that way.And vice versa for being innocent too. I do NOT trust him and a LOT of the people that work for him are not to be trusted either!!

Roxy the school police watch dog said...

I would agree with you both on the experts.

As far as the Sheriff is concerned,
We are not upset because he believes in the truth, if Bill believed in the truth Dennis Perry would not be in jail right now.

Bill believes in taking care of his people that he likes, and guilt does not matter.

Wait and see who else the defense calls!!!!!!!!

And yes education does help.

Bill has lied in court many times, and I would not put it pass him to pay so called experts from his HOME state to try and get Chua off. You know there are many more EXPERTS in Atlanta than South Carolina.

Chua may very well be innocent, I really think he did not committ murder. At best I would have charged him with involuntary manslaughter, because that fits the crime better. I don't think he intended to kill Jamie, but his actions could have caused it.

Everyone keeps saying that Chua deserves a fair trial, well so do the Carter's and yes I question this expert from South Carolina.

Anonymous said...

I will be honest. I hate to see all the side bar conversation that isn't pertinent to the trial. I agree, I do not believe murder and at this present time, I cannot say manslaughter either. Give me an expert that isn't based solely on opinion and say he gave lethal amounts (that's from both sides). Neither side has had witnesses worth a flip in my mind. If you can tell me, by law, that he gave too much, then I will change my mind. When I mention innocent until proven guilty, I mean the Dr. Really now, does it take two full years to come up with evidence and experts? Did the doctor really need to economically collapse for a year while he sat in jail. The state is ripping him off having someone have to take care of his estates. Put an ankle bracelet on him or house arrest. He has lost a lot on this too. If I were the County, I would standby for the aftermath of this trial. I believe some civil liberties were violated and it will be exposed. To end this book, the sheriff isn't involved in this trial, let's just talk facts!

Anonymous said...

That's your tail...I sit on mine!!

momof7at40 said...

I agree with the DOG...If Bill Smith cared anything for the people, he wouldn't of helped frame Dennis Perry and put him in prison.

It might be okay to be gay these days. But murder is murder. I don't care who you are,how rich you are or even what sheriff you have in your back pocket.( or front even ) If Bill Smith can pay for a lawyer for this Doctor. WHY? Is my question. Relationship being what? More than a friend?

I also wonder why the people of the county are so afraid of a YANKEE. He lived most of his life in NY and then shows up in GA to ride his Daddy's coattails into office. Killing the great reputation of his father.

He's a lowlife,backstabbing,thief. Someone needs to be sure he gets his just desserts.Put him in with the people whom's lives he has ruined. See how he fairs on his own.

Anonymous said...

The reason doctors from South Carolina were chosen is because they are among the best in their field. One is a psychopharmacologist, one of only 400 in the world. Hes been an expert in more than 35 cases for both the prosecution and defense. The other is the head of Family Medicine at the University of South Carolina school of medicine. The doctors had no previous connection to Bill Smith.

Also, Bill Smith DID NOT pay for Doctor Chuas attorney. He was paid for soley by private donations of patients, and none of those were from the sherriff or anybody related to the sherriff.

Roxy the school police watch dog said...

Yes and we were also told at one time the inmates didn't get paid and that Janet Reno gave permission to spend the drug money on celebrate recovery. That is why everything the Sheriff touches needs to be investigated.

I am sorry, but you didn't use your name so I can not trust what you say. Show me proof.

It is Bill's lawyer

And so was the first lawyer from Brunswick.

Anonymous said...

You stated "It is Bill's lawyer"

So you mean lawyers only represent one person in their career/lifetime??? Really, come on post something that makes sense.