The trial of Hsiu-Ying "Lisa" Tseng, DO, began Monday for the alleged murder of three young men who all died of overdoses after she prescribed them painkillers from her clinic in Rowland Heights, Calif., according to a Washington Post report.
Dr. Tseng wrote more than 27,000 painkiller prescriptions in just three years, and she routinely handed out prescriptions in as little as three minutes, despite evidence of addiction and without performing a physical exam, according to the report.
Dr. Tseng's attorneys claim it wasn't her fault that the three patients abused their prescriptions. However, prosecutors handling the case are arguing otherwise, claiming Dr. Tseng and her prescribing practices are to blame for the deaths.
Deputy District Attorney John Niedermann said officials called Dr. Tseng more than 12 times to tell her a patient had overdosed on painkillers she had prescribed. One of the patients overdosed in the hallway of her clinic. However, Dr. Tseng didn't change her prescribing practices, according to the report.
Dr. Tseng has pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree murder for the patient deaths. She is also facing several other felony charges of prescribing drugs to people not in need of medication. Dr. Tseng could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of the crimes.
The case is being heard in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
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