'Dr Death trying to manipulate extradition trial'

Sydney, Apr 22: US government prosecutors have accused Dr Jayant Patel of attempting to turn his next month's extradition hearing in Portland, into a "full-blown trial". Last week, Patel had asked US District Court judge Dennis Hubel to force Australian authorities to hand over the medical records of his alleged victims in Queensland, including three former patients who died after alleged botched operations. Also, last week Patel had hired experienced Portland vascular and general surgeon Dr Roger Alberty as an expert witness in the extradition battle. Responding to "Dr Death's" request of the entire medical records, US prosecutors told the judge that Patel's motion should be denied.

"Ordering the government of Australia to produce the additional documents would convert fugitive Patel's extradition hearing into precisely what the Supreme Court has cautioned against - a full-blown trial on the merits before this court," The Australian quoted Assistant US attorney's Ethan Knight and Dwight Holton, working on behalf of the Australian government, as writing in their response.

Australian authorities have charged Patel with 16 offences, including three counts of manslaughter and fraud, and hope to extradite him to Queensland.

Patel, a US citizen and resident of Portland, was director of surgery at Queensland's Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005.

ANI