After a High Court quashed his conviction on three counts of manslaughter, Indian-origin surgeon Jayant Patel praised the justice system and sympathised with his former patients. Dr. Patel (62) was released from jail on Friday after the High Court unanimously overturned his conviction by ruling his trial a mistrial.
In a television interview aired on Tuesday, Dr. Patel — dubbed ‘Dr Death’ by Australian media — expressed his sympathy to the families of his patients while declaring he would remain in Australia “as long as it takes” to clear his name. “I want to offer my sincere condolences and sympathy to my former patients and their families affected by these events.”
He said the last four years of which two years he spent in prison had been “traumatic”.
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“In that trial, allegations were made not only about my competence as a doctor but also going to the root of my character and my decency as a human being,” he said.
Dr. Patel was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury in Brisbane on June 29, 2010, of the manslaughter involving Gerry Kemps (77), James Phillips (46) and Mervyn Morris (75) as well as causing grievous bodily harm to Ian Rodney Vowles (now 65).
His former patients reacted with anger on his TV appearance. Ian Vowles (65), who had a section of his bowel removed by Dr. Patel, said he was not convinced by the offer of condolences. “He went on a real lot about nothing. He absolutely said virtually nothing at all.” The Director of Public Prosecutions is considering whether to hold another trial. Dr. Patel is due to appear in the Supreme Court on Friday.
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