Prosecutor: Theft motive for poisoning patients

Helsinki nurse on trial for five murders and six attempts

print this

The prosecutor in the case of a 59-year-old Helsinki nurse standing trial for five murders and six attempted murders says that the actions of the defendant suggest that she would have been interested in stealing the victims’ property.
      According to the indictment, the nurse had taken jewellery, clothing, silver plates, and medicines from elderly patients under her care. She already has a previous conviction for stealing patients’ jewellery.
     
The main part of the trial in the exceptional case began at Helsinki district Court on Tuesday.
      The defendant has consistently denied all charges. Her lawyer Heikki Lampela says that his client is adamant that she gave good care, and never tried to cause anyone’s death.
     
State Prosecutor Leena Metsäpelto says that the series of crimes began to unravel after the nurse was first detained in March last year.
      The arrest was prompted primarily by the suspicions of an 80-year-old woman that she had been poisoned by something added to her yoghourt.
      Police investigating the case found one previous investigation into a cause of death involving the defendant. The police also took a closer look at other patient deaths that took place while the defendant had been on duty, and information about emergency calls that she had made.
     
The Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) reported on Tuesday that the police are investigating deaths of more patients that were somehow linked to the defendant.
      Police officer Arto Karalahti says, nevertheless, that no new investigations have been launched in connection with the case, nor have any suspicions of homicide emerged.
     
The prosecution says that the suspected crimes have repeated the same formula. The nurse had been at work at a hospital, or visiting a patient at home when the poisonings took place.
      In most cases, the defendant called for help.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Police exhume body at cemetery in murder investigation (20.5.2009)
  Trial of nurse accused of multiple murders begins (13.1.10)
  Case of nurse suspected of poisoning reveals problems in information sharing among officials (22.5.2009)

Helsingin Sanomat