Doctor’s Conviction May Reshape How Doctors Handle Prescriptions

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Doctor sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the murders of three of her patients who fatally overdosed…………..

Doctor convicted of murder for patients’ drug overdoses gets 30 years to life in prison

Dr. Hsiu-Ying “Lisa” Tseng was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the murders of three of her patients who fatally overdosed, making Tseng the first doctor to be convicted of murder in the United States for overprescribing drugs.

Dr. Hsiu-Ying “Lisa” Tseng was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the murders of three of her patients who fatally overdosed, making Tseng the first doctor to be convicted of murder in the United States.

Marisa GerberContact Reporter

A judge on Friday sentenced a Rowland Heights doctor to 30 years to life in prison for the murders of three of her patients who fatally overdosed, ending a landmark case that some medical experts say could reshape how doctors nationwide handle prescriptions.

The sentence came after a Los Angeles jury last year found Dr. Hsiu-Ying “Lisa” Tseng guilty of second-degree murder, the first time a doctor had been convicted of murder in the United States for overprescribing drugs, the district attorney’s office said.

Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli said before sentencing Tseng that she had attempted to blame patients, pharmacists and other doctors rather than take responsibility for her own actions.

“It seems to be an attempt to put the blame on someone else,” he said. “Very irresponsible.”

Tseng, wearing blue jail scrubs, apologized to the victims’ families, her family and “medical society.”

“I’m really terribly sorry,” she said, before addressing the courtroom audience, which was crowded with victims’ relatives. “I have been and forever will be praying for you. May God bless all of you and grant comfort to all who have been affected by my actions.”